Women of the King

Louis XIV, a.k.a. the Sun King, embodied the tension between absolute power and profound vulnerability like no other. This intimate concert is a poetic and musical account of his countless loves and desires. How many lovers did he have? His stars, his women brought splendour to the French court. Often, they took advantage of him just as much as he did of them. Different times, different customs. Or not always? New passions are constantly born in the human heart, so that when one dies out, another almost always flares up. Klara radio presenter Sieglinde Michiel lets the king’s wives speak from the depths of their hearts. In this concert, lyrics and music go hand in hand. Each work transports you straight to the court of Louis XIV and his predecessors, in the epicentre of French splendour. Stunning arias for solo soprano alternate with rich instrumental pieces and sparkling tutti passages. Featuring music by François Couperin, Pierre Guédron, Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Michel Lambert. Bio Belgian ensemble Les Abbagliati takes its name from the informal Venetian academy of arts and sciences of the 17th century. The music of the 17th and 18th centuries is their favourite field of expertise, and in their programmes they enjoy seeking out a combination of well-known masterpieces and new discoveries, ranging from famous composers to lesser-known masters.-------------------------------- >>> This concert is part of the highlight Man man man. A programme about masculinity in all its forms. Boys, men, fathers, and sons find themselves at a turning point. Traditional images of manhood are being questioned, while new forms of masculinity are still taking shape. In this programme, we explore questions and answers in order to arrive at a healthy, inclusive, and free way of being a man.