In the sumptuous Chapelle royale de Versailles, the Ricercar Consort performs Motets by Henry Dumont and Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Mass of the dead, a masterpiece of baroque liturgy.

It is always very moving to hear Henry Dumont's music resonate in Versailles' Royal Chapel, of which the German composer, who had established himslef in Paris, had been appointed master in 1663. A very appreciated artist of Louis XIV and his wife, he made a brilliant career in Versailles, where he was successively appointed "Sous-maître de la musique du Roy" (with Pierre Robert) and Master of the Queen's Music. His motets have particularly made him very famous and have remained unequalled in the French baroque music repertoire.

The character of Marc-Antoine Charpentier was deeply rooted in Versailles too. Chosen as a composer for Molière's comédies-ballets after Lully, he was a very important man at the court. His music was then forgotten until it was discovered again in the second half of the 19th century by the musicologists.

Founded in 1980, the Ricercar Consort is a Belgian ensemble specialised in baroque music. Their interpretation of the Bach cantatas and of German instrumental music made their reputation around Europe. Today, the Ricercar Consort is renowned for its performances in great operatic productions (ranging from Monteverdi to Telemann) as well as for its chamber music concerts.

Here the ensemble is accompanied by the Collegium Vocale Gent. It is directed by the Ricercar Consort's co-founder and music director: Philippe Pierlot.