Spiritual Concert Choir
Hervé Niquet, Marie-Josèphe Jude, Danièle Lebrun

The program for this concert centers on Gustave Caillebotte (1848-1894) and features two of his brother Martial's works, rarely performed in public. Psalm 132 "Ecce quam bonum" reflects the strong ties between the Caillebotte brothers. Indeed, the piece was composed in 1886, when the two brothers, Gustave and Martial, lived together. It also has a connection with their older brother, Alfred (1834-1896), as it was created for the inauguration of the choir organ at Notre-Dame de Lorette church in Paris, where he was priest - Psalm 132 is dedicated to him. A second piece by Martial Caillebotte, an extract from Airs de ballet, collected works for piano, gives a wider understanding of Caillebotte's palette as a composer. Selected works by Saint-Saëns, Gounod, Pierné, and Dubois continue the program's theme of creative men, family, and faith. The finale is a tribute to Augusta Holmès, French composer and poet of British and Irish heritage who was a close friend of Gounod and Saint-Saëns.

In order to present these works in their best light, Hervé Niquet is bringing in Marie-Josèphe Jude to join his Spiritual Concert Choir; talented pianist and winner of the Victoires de la musique classique prize in 1995, her career has since led her to perform at numerous festivals. Hervé Niquet has also invited Danièle Lebrun, pensionnaire of the Comédie française, to tell the tale of this fascinating era and the relationship between the Caillebotte brothers through anecdotes and historical details.

Artists

• Spiritual Concert Choir;
• Hervé Niquet, Director;
• Marie-Josèphe Jude, piano;
• Danièle Lebrun, narrator.

Program

• Martial Caillebotte
  • Psalm 132 "Ecce quam bonum";
  • Airs de ballet;
• Camille Saint-Saëns
  • Calme des nuits, op. 68, no. 1;
  • Offertoire pour la Toussaint en Fa majeur;
• Augusta Holmès
  • La Vision de la reine;
• Charles Gounod
  • Les sept paroles du Christ sur la croix; 
• Gabriel Pierné
  • pieces by this artist to be confirmed;
• Théodore Dubois
  • pieces by this artist to be confirmed.