Biography
Le Banquet Céleste, founded in 2009 by Damien Guillon, is a period instrument music ensemble. In residence at the Rennes Opera, Le Banquet Céleste continues its exploration of European Baroque music.
Le Banquet Céleste is now under collective artistic direction, by a team of musicians who have been loyal for many years.
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Building on the unique position, Le Banquet Céleste has held in the landscape of European Baroque ensembles for the past fifteen years, the project retains its full human and musical dimension.
Committed to the sacred and secular repertoires championed by the ensemble since its inception, Le Banquet Céleste maintains its distinctive vocal style, which is balanced with the instrumental repertoire, reflecting the members who embody the new leadership.
The programs explore 17th- and 18th-century Europe with works by A. Stradella, F. Cavalli, C. Monteverdi, H. Purcell, J.S. Bach, and G.F. Handel, as well as G. Carissimi, J.G. Pisendel, M. Weckmann, and H. Schütz.
The program also explores older repertoires with J.H. Schein and W. Byrd, and occasionally ventures into later works by C.P.E. Bach and G. Benda, even including contemporary music on occasion. Since its inception, Le Banquet Céleste has focused part of its research on the music of J.S. Bach; this close connection with the composer's works remains central to the artistic project.
Le Banquet Céleste naturally continues its journey, as if it were meant to be!
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.