Le Concert D'Astrée (Vocal & Instrumental Ensemble)

Founded: 2001 - France

After training as a pianist and organist, Emmanuelle Haïm studied the harpsichord with Kenneth Gilbert and graduated from the Paris Conservatoire (CNSM) with several premiers prix. Her love for the human voice led her to concentrate after that on conducting vocal music, first of all at the Versailles Centre for Baroque Music (CMBV), then at the Paris Conservatoire. She was soon invited to accompany many distinguished singers in recital, and she developed a regular activity as a continuo player as well. It did not take long for Emmanuelle Haïm to be in demand internationally as a guest conductor. In 2001 she scored a resounding success with George Frideric Handel's Rodelinda for Glyndebourne Touring Opera, with which she later conducted G.F. Handel's Theodora. Since then she has appeared regularly at the Glyndebourne Festival, where she will be presenting L'Incoronazione di Poppea (Monteverdi) in 2008. She also conducts the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Deutsche Sinfonie-Orchester Berlin, and Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (HR-Sinfonieorchester). In March 2008 made her debut with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

From 2001 Le Concert d'Astrée (= LCDA) and Emmanuelle Haïm received the support of the France Télécom Foundation. That same year, an exclusive recording contract was signed with Virgin Classics. In 2003 Le Concert d'Astrée received a 'Victoire' at the French Classical Music Awards as the Most Outstanding Ensemble of the Year.

Le Concert d'Astrée became ensemble-in-residence at Lille Opéra in 2004, for stage performances of G.F. Handel's Tamerlano, then, in autumn 2005, Monteverdi's Orfeo. It has also given concerts there, including G.F. Handel's oratorio Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater and Mozart's C-minor Mass. It appears on other stages in France noted for opera (Opéra National du Rhin, Théâtre de Caen, Bordeaux Opéra, Théâtre du Châtelet and Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris, etc.). Abroad, it has performed at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Barbican Centre in London, New York's Lincoln Center, the Konzerthaus in Vienna, and the Potsdam Festival, among many other important venues.

Source: IMG Artists Website (June 2008)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (August 2008)

Emmanuelle Haïm: Short Biography | Le Concert d'Astrée | Recordings of Vocal Works | Videos | BWV 243 - E. Haïm

Links to other Sites

Le Concert D'Astrée (Official Website)

Le Concert D'Astrée (IMG Artists)