Le Carnaval du Parnasse, Mondonville's heroic ballet, was a dazzling triumph at its premiere in 1749, eclipsing Rameau'sZoroastre, which premiered the same year. Dedicated to the Marquise de Pompadour, muse of the arts and the omnipotent favourite of the King, this whimsical carnival is nothing short of a deliciousmarivaudage: on Mount Parnassus, Apollo and his Muses indulge in feasts of the senses and entertainments of the heart…

Musettes, hurdy-gurdies, and flutes formed the dream countryside of Rococo-style salons, that of Watteau’s painting Concert Champêtre (1727), when Naudot’s Fantaisies were enjoying their hour of glory. The fashion for “pastoralism” was in full swing, and professional musicians as well as great amateurs vied with each other in “pastoral” concertos where musettes and hurdy-gurdies featured heavily. These instruments were popular originally, garnering great skill to rise to the heights of virtuoso: enough to enchant Louis XV’s courtesans and those close to La Pompadour! Alexis Kossenko reveals these wonderfully outdated gems to us as a bold shepherd.

Alexis Kossenko returns to centre stage with a project focussing on works by Georg Philipp Telemann, one of the most prolific composers in the history of music, with more than 6,000 works to his name! From them, Alexis Kossenko has chosen two concertos with orchestra: one for flute, the other for flute and violin, preceded by an overture. This programme is perfectly composed to demonstrate what a great Baroque conductor he has become as well as, of course, showcasing his impressive qualities as a flautist. It is also the occasion to again find Zefira Valova as Konzertmeister and soloist in one of the concertos.