If the repertoire of the French court orchestras, such as the famous 24 violons du roy from the 17th century, reflects the brilliance of public life at the court of the absolutist Louis XIV, then the "Airs de cour" represent the rigid, but at the same time refined and courtly etiquette of the more intimate moments of that same court life. In terms of both musical style and expressiveness, these airs
… are miles away from the - in French eyes - excessive emotionality of the Italian 'secunda prattica', of which Monteverdi was the best known representative. In France, Michel Lambert (1611-1696) was considered the pre-eminent composer of airs de cour. They are songs for one or more voices accompanied by the theorbo, possibly accompanied by a viola da gamba. On this CD the Ensemble Fons Musicae, with Monique Zanetti (soprano) and Pascal Bertin (countertenor) as vocal soloists, performs 14 of them. The lyrics come almost exclusively from the most prominent poets of the time, such as Quinault and Benserade. One of the few exceptions to this is the drinking song 'Pour jouir d'un bonheur qui dure', probably written for the meetings in the cabaret Bel-Air. Lambert apparently liked it so much that he married the daughter of the owner, only to 'switch' to her younger daughter when she died after a year and a half. After all, etiquette is just a facade. (JvG) The lyrics come almost exclusively from the most prominent poets of the time, such as Quinault and Benserade. One of the few exceptions to this is the drinking song 'Pour jouir d'un bonheur qui dure', probably written for the meetings in the cabaret Bel-Air. Lambert apparently liked it so much that he married the daughter of the owner, only to 'switch' to her younger daughter when she died after a year and a half. After all, etiquette is just a facade. (JvG) The lyrics come almost exclusively from the most prominent poets of the time, such as Quinault and Benserade. One of the few exceptions to this is the drinking song 'Pour jouir d'un bonheur qui dure', probably written for the meetings in the cabaret Bel-Air. Lambert apparently liked it so much that he married the daughter of the owner, only to 'switch' to her younger daughter when she died after a year and a half. After all, etiquette is just a facade. (JvG) when she died after a year and a half, 'switching' to her younger daughter quite quickly. After all, etiquette is just a facade. (JvG) when she died after a year and a half, 'switching' to her younger daughter quite quickly. After all, etiquette is just a facade. (JvG)more
