EARLY MUSIC: The main theme of the Early Music Festival Utrecht, which takes place at the end of August, is French Baroque. Three artists in residence as well as an instrument will play centre stage.

The artists are harpsichordist and conductor of Capriccio Stravagante, Skip Sempé, gambist Philippe Pierlot, who will be bringing along his Ricercar Consort, and the French mezzo-soprano Eugénie Warnier. The other guest of honour is the 18th-century Hemsch harpsichord. According to the experts, the Hemsch is considered the finest surviving French harpsichord; an almost human instrument with a personality, a unique voice and a soul.

Radio Netherlands Worldwide, in collaboration with the Dutch Public Broadcaster, will record 15 of the concerts. At the beginning of 2011 these recordings will become available via RNW’s Early Music series Millennium of Music and this site.

Twitter avant la lettre
The programmes of the festival follow Louis XIV’s strict daily pattern. ‘With an almanac and watch in your hand, you knew exactly what the king was doing, even from 300 miles away,’ says chronicler Saint-Simon. This is the pattern of the king’s day, and that of the festival:

11.00 Le Conseil
During the festival Le Conseil is the time of day when you can find out more about topics related to Baroque music, including Baroque dance and gestures in Baroque operas. You can also hear more about the origin and the ins en outs of the Hemsch harpsichord and the mysterious titles of Couperin’s keyboard works.

13.00 Les Tendres Sentimens
At the beginning of the afternoon you can listen to harpsichord music by François Couperin, his contemporaries, teachers and pupils played on the Hemsch and other types of harpsichord.

15.00 Les Petits Riens
Halfway through the afternoon is reserved for the most intimate forms: solos, duos and trios. Viola da gamba music perfomed by Philippe Pierlot, petits motets and Airs de Cour.

17.00 Le Salon
The Salon, formerly known as l’exposition, was founded in 1648 by Cardinal Mazarin, finance minister under King Louis XIV. Especially in the 19th century the salon was very important for artists. Taking part in the show was a stepping stone to an artistic career. During the festival Le Salon will feature large-scale chamber music with vocal surprises.

20.00 Les Divertissements
Here we move from the intimate parlour to the large concert hall, the theatre or one of the many beautiful churches for which Utrecht is known, to hear musical grandeur: operas, grands motets and orchestral music.

22.30 Les Ténèbres
Late in the evening it’s time for reflection. The tombeaux and especially the Leçons de ténèbres, meditations for Passion Time, were written in all shapes and sizes and were incredibly popular. During these late evening concerts 18th-century French compositions are combined with contemporary compositions for Passion Time.

24.00 Le Coucheur
Just before going to bed, you can listen to the music of Angels. After all the exuberance of the Baroque feast, there will be a series of intimate lute and harpsichord concerts for contemplation and purification.