Hamburg, Prague, London, Madrid, Paris

Hamburg: Blow and Purcell at the Elbphilharmonie

An evening of English baroque – and a resounding success – at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, with Venus and Adonis by John Blow and Dido and Aeneas by Purcell. The programme was presented by Berlin’s Lautten Compagney and the Mädchenchor Hamburg.

With Dorota Szczepańska, Florian Fritz Götz, Hanna Herfurtner, Julia Kirchner, Franziska Gottwald, Markus Brutscher, the Mädchenchor Hamburg, Berlin’s Lautten Compagney and Antonius Adamske.

Prague: The 2025 Edition of the Académie Versailles

The ensemble Collegium Marianum closed the 2025 edition of the Académie Versailles with a concert at the Prague Conservatory. This third academy was organised in partnership with the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles, the Institut français, and the Prague Conservatory. Two programmes were offered: an orchestral class led by Lenka Torgersen for instrumentalists (violin, flute, harpsichord, etc.) and a vocal class directed by soprano Chantal Santon Jeffery and Benoît Dratwicki, devoted to baroque declamation.

With the Collegium Marianum, Lenka Torgersen, Chantal Santon Jeffery et Benoît Dratwicki.

London: Marie-Antoinette at the Victoria & Albert Museum

Since 20 September, the galleries of London’s Victoria & Albert Museum have been hosting Marie Antoinette Style, the first British exhibition devoted to France’s most scrutinised – and most stylish – queen. Finding the etiquette and dress codes of court life too restrictive, Marie Antoinette broke away, adopting new fashions and becoming a “fashion victim” before the term existed. The exhibition brings together exceptional garments in a unique setting, immersing visitors in the queen’s world – until 22 March 2026.

Madrid: Handel’s Ariodante on the Big Screen

The film version of Handel’s Ariodante, performed by Les Arts Florissants under William Christie and directed by Fred Savoir, was presented to great acclaim at Madrid’s Paz Cinema.

With Lea Desandre, Ana Maria Labin, Ana Vieira Leite, Hugh Cutting, Renato Dolcini, Krešimir Špicer, Moritz Kallenberg, Les Arts Florissants and William Christie.

Paris: The 2025 Cadets en scène Prize Winners

The association Cadets en scène [French association supporting young talents in the baroque scene], named after Louis XV’s royal cadet school, awards annual and international “Young Talents” grants. The 2025 laureates were announced in Paris:

• First Prize: Ensemble La Capriola, for the recreation of a Renaissance violin consort.
• Second Prize: Vicente Romero Carrilero, for the restoration of an original 1889 flute.
• Joint Third Prizes: Ensemble The BanXHies (pictured) for promoting their upcoming album 47° Nord, tracing Antonio Caldara’s journey from Venice to Vienna, and Ensemble Le Grand Ballet for their upcoming recording dedicated to Jean-Claude Gillier.

The prize-winners will be presented at a gala evening at the Palais du Luxembourg and receive financial support.