Le Concert Spirituel Concerts

Experience Le Concert Spirituel

Le Concert Spirituel, founded in 1987 by Hervé Niquet, is a French ensemble specializing in the rediscovery and performance of sacred music from the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly French Baroque repertoire. Initially focused on the *Grand Motets* of Jean-Baptiste Lully – a genre largely forgotten after Lully’s death – the ensemble rapidly gained international recognition for its historically informed performances and meticulous research.

Niquet’s scholarship is central to Le Concert Spirituel's identity; he frequently reconstructs scores from fragmented sources, bringing lost works to light. The group’s discography, exceeding 80 recordings (including collaborations), features extensive cycles of Lully, Marc-Antoine Charpentier, and Henry Desmarest. Their recording of Charpentier’s *Les Plaisirs de Versailles* (1998) was a landmark achievement, winning numerous awards.

Beyond purely liturgical music, Le Concert Spirituel explores the intersection of sacred and secular styles within the Baroque period. They are renowned for their vibrant vocal and instrumental textures, dynamic interpretations, and commitment to reviving authentic performance practices.