Christophe Rousset Joins Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras for Christmas Shows

French conductor Christophe Rousset is set to make his conducting debut with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras (MCO) for their upcoming Christmas programme. Rousset will lead performances in December at the ensemble’s home, St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, as well as concerts at La Scala in Milan.

Speaking about the tour, Rousset expressed his delight, stating: “I felt very honoured to receive the invitation to conduct a Christmas programme with the MCO. From an early age, I have been a great fan of this ensemble and its founder. Having the chance to work with this wonderful ‘instrument’ at my fingertips is a great privilege.”

Rousset’s expertise lies in Baroque, Classical, and early Romantic repertoires. His work ranges from composers like Francesco Cavalli to Antonio Salieri, including the complete operatic works of Jean-Baptiste Lully. In addition to founding and conducting the ensemble Les Talens Lyriques, he also has a vibrant career as a harpsichordist.

For the Christmas programme, Rousset will lead the MCO in performing Baroque Christmas music by Bach and Charpentier, including the piece “Messe de Minuit”. The ensemble will be joined by soloists Hilary Cronin, Bethany Horak-Hallett, Florian Sievers, and Florian Stortz.

General director at the MCO, Dr. Rosa Solinas, shared her excitement, stating: “We are very excited Christophe will be joining us for our Baroque Christmas tour, a musician and conductor of exceptional pedigree and creative flair. We look forward to announcing our autumn season next week, which will build on our critically-acclaimed performances earlier this year: Dinis Sousa for our Beethoven Symphonies in London and Paris, Peter Whelan for Handel’s Israel in Egypt, and Jonathan Sells with our performances of the Bach Motets.”

The MCO comprises three ensembles: the Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists, and Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique. Recently, the board of MCO decided that its founder, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, would not be returning following an allegation that he had hit a musician.

Sir John announced he would step down as leader and artistic director of the MCO after previously withdrawing from engagements with the group, including a BBC Prom. The incident involved him allegedly hitting bass musician William Thomas after a performance of Berlioz’s Les Troyens at La Côte-Saint-André in France last year. Sir John later issued an apology and stated he was seeking specialist help.

Source: Particlenews