Les Arts Florissants

The ensemble Les Arts Florissants was founded in 1979 and takes its name from the eponymous opera by Marc-Antoine Charpentier — the very work being performed this evening at Lucerne Festival. Since its inception, the ensemble has been led by harpsichordist and conductor William Christie as Artistic Director, with Paul Agnew as Musical Co-Director. Les Arts Florissants has played a key role in reviving many forgotten works — not only compositions from France’s Grand Siècle but from the broader repertoire of 17th- and 18th-century European music. Each season, the ensemble gives around 100 performances in France and on major international stages. Its activities range from staged opera performances to choral and symphonic concerts, chamber music, and educational projects. Les Arts Florissants has been closely associated with the Philharmonie de Paris as a resident ensemble since 2015 — and for even longer in the Vendée region and the town of Thiré (Pays-de-la-Loire), where the “Dans les Jardins de William Christie” festival has been held since 2012, complemented by a spring festival under Agnew’s direction. Through its vocal academy “Le Jardin des Voix” and “Arts Flo Juniors” program, the ensemble is also deeply committed to nurturing outstanding young musical talent. Les Arts Florissants receives support from the French government, the regional cultural office (DRAC) of Pays-de-la-Loire, the Département de la Vendée, and Region of Pays de la Loire. The Selz Foundation is Principal Sponsor; Aline Foriel-Destezet and the American Friends of Les Arts Florissants are Main Sponsors.

Lucerne Festival (IMF) debut on 27 August 1996 in works by Sigismondo d’India and Claudio Monteverdi conducted by William Christie.

July 2025