I enjoy early music and have an early music blog, (Lutes, Viols and Other Ancient Instruments) so I have subscribed to a lute email list. Most of the emails discuss technical aspects of lutes and lute playing, but a few days ago, I received an email with a link to the following video. I thought it was interesting, but didn't think much about it. I made the mistake of not watching the whole thing.
Well, this is the sort of thing that can excite passionate opinions in the early music community. It features music from "Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme", a comedie-ballet first presented in 1670 at the court of King Louis XIV. The text is by Moliere and the music is by Jean-Baptiste Lully.
If you watch the video, you will notice that it doesn't accurately reproduce the atmosphere of the the court of King Louis XIV. The treatment is quite modern, hence the controversy. Now, there is a poll being taken of the members of the lute list. Some hate it, others love it. I have grown to like it, and have given it a respectable four on a scale of one to five. If the performance was authentic, I would have likely given it higher marks, but I have to admit that it has its own unique charm.
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, (The Bourgeois Gentleman) Jean Marie Bigard
What do you think? Do you like the fusion of historical and modern culture, or does it seem inappropriate? I invite you to rank it on a scale of one to five and to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Related Links
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Comedie-ballet
1 comment:
Hi Daniel!
The video itself isn't my cup of tea but I am first and foremost a fan of music - and if this showing brings the music to new listeners then something is gained : )
The ending of the video with the digital camera was a bit funny ; )
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