Newsletter 
The French Institute of Finland and the Finnish Baroque Orchestra welcome you to a French baroque music concert entitled “The Scents of Versailles” that will take place in the House of Nobility, on March 21 at 7 PM!
This concert draws inspiration from the Sun King’s court at Versaille’s, trying to bring the audience back to the day-to-day life at the palace. This is why the concert room will be filled with Trudon candles, whose scent closely resembles the floor wax used in Versailles. These candles are made by the same manufacturer who has been selling candles to Versailles since the reign of the Sun King.
Before the concert and during the intermission, you will have the opportunity to do a virtual visit to some of the most iconic places in the Versailles Palace with the VR glasses provided by the French Institute. The four headsets, providing a 360° view of the palace’s premises, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. You can also enjoy opening words from the Orchestra’s artistic planner Marianna Henriksson between 6 PM to 6.30 PM.
Program (1h30 min, including intermission):
- Marin Marais– The Bells of St. Genevieve (1723)
Marin Marais was the Sun King’s chamber musician. This viola da gamba player, who wrote over 600 works for this instrument, enthralled his audiences with his exceptional interpretations and his playing technique.
- Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre – Violin Sonata in D minor (ca 1707)
Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre was an admired keyboard player whose sonatas and cantatas were important examples of the Italian style in France at the time. She was the daughter of a musician and gained the patronage of Madame de Montespan, mistress of the Sun King, at an early stage.
- François Couperin – Royal Concerts(1714)
François Couperin’s works for harpsichord contained not only music but also imitation of the surrounding world and jovial observations about society as well. The colourful Royal Concerts were not meant for dancing, even though the King’s foot tapped against the floor.
- Jean-Philippe Rameau – Pièces de clavecin en concert (1741)
Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important scholars of harmony and acoustics of his time. He also revolutionized the French opera and worked as an organist and harpsichordist at the Sun King’s court.
Musicians:
- Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, viola da gamba
- Louna Hosia, viola da gamba
- Anthony Marini, violin
- Marianna Henriksson, harpsichord
You can purchase tickets to the concert at Ticketmaster (€15 – €52). With the code FIBOJARANSKA, you can enjoy a 10 % promotion from the tickets to the concert!
Please note that mild fragrances will be used during the concert.