Boismortier was a rare independent musician of his time, able to live comfortably from his prolific compositions without needing a fixed post or official patronage.
Performer Biography
Ensemble Caprice, directed by Matthias Maute, is a two-time Juno Award winner known for its innovative approach to Baroque, classical, and contemporary music.
Composition History
The libretto for "Don Quichotte chez la duchesse" was written by Charles-Simon Favart, who was about twenty years younger than the composer Boismortier.
Recording & Production
This specific version of "Don Quichotte chez la duchesse" has never been recorded before, focusing on arias and instrumental divertissements while cutting most recitatives.
Composer Biography
Joseph Bodin de Boismortier, an 18th-century French composer, was born in Thionville, Lorraine, where his father owned a sweet shop.
Compositional Technique
Boismortier's "Don Quichotte chez la duchesse" parodies the conventions of French opera, a grand genre developed by Jean-Baptiste Lully for Louis XIV.
Interpretation
This recording of "Don Quichotte chez la duchesse" uses a score transcribed from Boismortier's original manuscript, which predates the changes made during the work's initial production.
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