At the crossroads between musical theatre and spiritual contemplation, William Christie invites audiences to rediscover one of the founding milestones of the Italian oratorio: Luigi Rossi’s rarely performed Oratorio per la Settimana Santa, presented here alongside an equally little-known oratorio by Perti.

Composed in the mid-seventeenth century, the Oratorio per la Settimana Santa reflects the profound aesthetic transformation of the emerging Baroque era, where musical theatre and spiritual meditation meet: the primacy of the text, expressive intensity, the dramatic portrayal of emotions and harmonic refinement. Written for Holy Week, it is not part of the formal liturgy, but rather creates a space for musical contemplation in which biblical narrative becomes a journey of human introspection. Rossi’s writing reveals a remarkable modernity, with the voice as a direct vehicle for emotion, anticipating the future development of opera. The work’s enduring power lies in this delicate balance between spiritual fervour and dramatic intensity; through universal themes—suffering, hope, compassion and redemption—it continues to speak to audiences of every culture and every age.

Despite its historical and artistic significance, the Oratorio per la Settimana Santa remains rarely performed today. This new concert production by Les Arts Florissants therefore offers a precious opportunity to discover a remarkable part of our musical heritage, brought to life by William Christie and Les Arts Florissants, among its foremost interpreters today.

With the support of a patron of Les Arts Florissants for this production.

Giacomo Antonio Perti (1661-1756)

Oratorio della passione

Intermission

Luigi Rossi (1597-1653)

Oratorio per la Settimana Santa

First part: 50 minutes
Intermission
Second part: 50 minutes

PRESTIGE VIP CATEGORY : Best seats in house, a complimentary glass of champagne is included.

PRESTIGE CATEGORY : Excellent seats, a complimentary glass of champagne is included.

REDUCED GROUP RATE : available for groups of more than 10 people, excluding corporate offers.

CORPORATE GROUP RATES : for more information, please refer to our page dedicated to works councils and groups.

In case of any technical problem, the box office service remains available to complete your order by phone at +33 (0)1 30 83 78 89 (Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm) or in our box office-shop (3 bis rue des Réservoirs, 78000 Versailles ; Monday-Friday from 11am to 6pm, and on Saturdays with concerts or shows except during the Musical Fountains Shows, from 2pm to 5pm).

To ensure the best welcome possible, people with limited mobility are advised to book their seats by telephone.