From around 1570 to 1650, a secular strophic song, called 'air de cour', flourished at the French court. These songs are composed purely for the entertainment of the king and are officially sung in polyphony. But there are also popular unison versions with lute accompaniment. During the time of the soldier king Henry IV, the songs are often about a nobleman decorating innocent shepherdesses. However,
… when the more gallant Louis XIII becomes king and Anthoine Boesset begins his long career at court, the taste changes. The lonely young man tormented by a cruel mistress becomes the new theme, as can be heard in the song Je Meurs Sans Mourir, also the title of this album dedicated to Boesset's court songs. It is a very varied album. After all, Boesset also composed airs for court ballets and they could be about anything. There is only one form of the court song that Boesset did not deal with: the drinking song. Was this genre too little for him? Was he a teetotaler? It is certain that Boesset only wrote one drinking song and it was devoted to water! (CP)more
