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Bertrand Cuiller © Jean-Baptiste Millot
Bertrand Cuiller © Jean-Baptiste Millot

Couperin’s Leçons de ténèbres

Le Caravansérail + Bertrand Cuiller + lecture Saskia Törnqvist
Mon 14 Dec 2026 20:15 - 22:00
Mon 14 Dec 2026
20:15 - 22:00
  • Mon 14 Dec 2026
    20:15 - 22:00
    Grote Zaal
    From Tue 31 Mar 2026 12:00

Program

19.00 uur / Grote Zaal / Early Music Lecture (Dutch spoken)
By Saskia Törnqvist

20.15 uur / Grote Zaal / Main program
François Couperin Leçons de ténèbres / La Garnier / La Muse-Plantine / Canaries 
Marin Marais Plainte pour viole de gambe et basse continue 

Credits

Maïlys De Villoutreys soprano 
Rachel Redmond soprano 
Isabelle Saint-Yves viola da gamba 
Bertrand Cuiller organ, harpsichord 

Light in the darkness 

Just before the first light breaks, the darkness is at its deepest. This symbolism lies at the heart of the lamentations, the Leçons de ténèbres. In 17th-century France, these lamentations could be heard everywhere, from opulent basilicas to simple village churches. François Couperin composed them for one and two voices with sparse accompaniment. Here, tradition and genius merge into perfection. The intimate performance by Le Caravansérail and Bertrand Cuiller is of pure beauty – with just four musicians, a grand gesture is made.  
 
Sopranos Rachel Redmond and Maïlys de Villoutreys deliver Couperin’s richly ornamented musical orations with grace, demonstrating the sheer refinement of these spiritual meditations. Le Caravansérail frames the Leçons with a suite for viola da gamba and intimate harpsichord music. 

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Le Caravansérail + Bertrand Cuiller © Jean-Baptiste Millot
Le Caravansérail + Bertrand Cuiller © Jean-Baptiste Millot
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Early Music 26/27

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