Paris - Baroque music

I waited until after lunch to leave Vaires and return the car to Renault. I did not want to be too tired for a concert scheduled that evening. It was about 4 pm when I left Renault, near the neighborhood where I had lived and where I had visited my friend, Michèle L. until she died a few years ago. I decided to stop at one of the cafés near La Muette, an area named for the chateau that was once a hunting lodge for Marguerite de Valois, the wife of King Henri IV. It is in the heart of a quiet, but fashionable area. As soon as I started walking I realized that I missed Michèle terribly and I felt tears rising. I chose a café, regained my composure, and sat for a while observing the passers-by.

I had two small shopping bags and wanted to use the rest room, so I asked the woman sitting nearby if she would watch it. She smiled and moved it closer to her; she smiled again when I returned and, when I left, she said "au revoir" with another smile.






I decided to have dinner near the concert hall and took a bus to a stop nearby. The Salle Pleyel was recently renovated to restore its Art Deco appearance.

As I entered I noticed people wearing evening attire. I was not too surprised because Paris audiences still dress elegantly for such events. The performance was scheduled to be Handel's Susanna, presented by the renowned Baroque ensemble, Les Arts Florissants, led by William Christie, an American expatriate. As the lights dimmed in the hall, there was an announcer who began with a greeting. He welcomed the Minister of Culture and Communication, the Ambassadors, and other officials. Then he explained that this was the 30th anniversary of the founding of the ensemble. He said it was rare to find in one person (Christie) the desire to conserve a patrimony, to create an ensemble, and to interpret the music of the age of Louis XIV along with excellent musicians.

The concert hall was full and the audience silent during the performance; afterwards the crowd was so enthusiastic that Christie asked the singers to repeat the last ten minutes of the performance.   I left only after all the musicians had left the stage.  It was 11 pm.  I was thrilled to have heard such a beautiful performance. http://www.arts-florissants.com/site/accueil.php4

William Christie