Molière’s comédies-ballets reached their peak during the decade of 1660-1670, accompanied by Lully’s music, which enabled the creation of emblematic masterpieces of the French stage before Louis XIV, such as Le Bourgeois gentilhomme and George Dandin. Lully also adorned comical plays with exceptional music, like L’Amour médecin and Le Mariage forcé. After the fallout with Lully, Charpentier joined forces with Molière for his last great creation: Le Malade imaginaire in 1673. William Christie brings together a bouquet of works from these two master composers of the Grand Siècle, offering a jubilant tribute to Molière and his music. Theatre, dance, and music intertwine in a celebration where Molière, Lully, and Charpentier are the grand orchestrators, for a final imaginary comédie-ballet…

This performance is generously supported by Madame Aline Foriel-Destezet

Excerpts from Le Malade imaginaire, Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, L’Amour médecin, Le Mariage forcé, George Dandin…