Gabriel Davigneau – Total Baroque Magazine

Musical Confessions of a 17th Century Maiden

In their new album, French ensemble La Néréide imagines the voice of a young maiden at the 17th-century Saint-Cyr boarding school, reflecting the era’s conflicting impulses between religious conduct and earthly sensuality.

by Gabriel Davigneau 2 October 2025

Pictures of the Week

From Vache Baroque to Bayreuth: Europe’s Festivals in Celebration

This week, Europe’s festival season celebrated early music, from Vache Baroque to Bayreuth, Milan, Viterbo and Utrecht, spanning baroque opera, sacred polyphony and innovative productions.

by Gabriel Davigneau 11 September 2025

CD in four questions

A nocte temporis & Reinoud Van Mechelen

Clérambault with two faces

In his latest recording, Reinoud Van Mechelen explores the diversity of Clérambault’s musical language, moving between the brilliance of the Te Deum and the inwardness of the Histoire de la femme adultère.

by Gabriel Davigneau 8 September 2025

CD in four questions

Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian & Le Consort

Purcell in all his Glory

The French countertenor Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian unveils a sensitive and refined album centered on Purcell and 17th-century English music.

by Gabriel Davigneau 1 September 2025

Carlotta Colombo and the Women of the Seicento

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Anima & Corpo and Gabriele Pro

Carlotta Colombo and the Women of the Seicento

A vocal programme dedicated to the great female singers of Baroque Rome — voices and names long consigned to the shadows.

by Gabriel Davigneau 25 August 2025

A Passion, Between Polyphony and Baroque

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Polyharmonique Ensemble & Alexander Schneider

A Passion, Between Polyphony and Baroque

Discovering an unjustly overlooked St. John Passion, brought to life by Ensemble Polyharmonique and conductor Alexander Schneider—a polyphonic journey into the dawn of the German Baroque!

by Gabriel Davigneau 17 July 2025

Alice Julien-Laferrière: Making Music Off the Beaten Path

Interview

Baroque, Nature, and Land

Alice Julien-Laferrière: Making Music Off the Beaten Path

Baroque violinist, founder of Artifices Ensemble, creator of La Turbine and the Seulétoile label, Alice Julien-Laferrière cultivates the art of connecting music, place, and imagination.

by Gabriel Davigneau 8 July 2025

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Paolo Zanzu, Liv Heym & Christophe Coin

Touching the Sublime with Bach

Under the fingers of Paolo Zanzu, Bach’s sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord regain an organic vitality, by turns introspective and luminous. This chamber music recording breathes new life into the repertoire.

by Gabriel Davigneau 1 July 2025

Fagioli in the Footsteps of castrato Velluti

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Royal Opera of Versailles, Stefan Plewniak & Franco Fagioli

Fagioli in the Footsteps of castrato Velluti

Franco Fagioli revives Giovanni Battista Velluti and takes us on a sonic journey to the twilight of the castrati.

by Gabriel Davigneau 23 June 2025

CD in four questions

Lynda O’Connor & Ailbhe McDonagh

When Ireland replies to Vivaldi

What if Ireland echoed Vivaldi? In The Irish Seasons, Lynda O’Connor blends baroque and Celtic tradition with daring poetry.

by Gabriel Davigneau 19 June 2025

Daniel Pinteño: “Dare to Bet on Spanish Talent!”

Anniversary

10 Years of Concerto 1700 (Spain)

Daniel Pinteño: “Dare to Bet on Spanish Talent!”

On the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Spanish ensemble Concerto 1700, conductor Daniel Pinteño looks back on a journey fuelled by curiosity, musicological commitment, and an enduring love for Spanish Baroque music.

by Gabriel Davigneau 12 June 2025