‘Scherzi Musicali & Nicolas Achten’

The Lamentations of the prophet Jeremiah occupy a prominent place in the French musical works of the 18th century. As theatres are closed during Holy Week, composers draw a highly expressive material from this biblical text, which offers virtuoso opera singers a most exhilarating and sacred playground. François Couperin made history with his famous triptych of Leçons de Ténèbres. Among his successors, the Brussels residents Joseph-Hector Fiocco and Charles-Joseph Van Helmont combined the inspiration infused by Couperin with their language steeped in Italian influences. With a most seductive lyricism, the luminous soprano voice contrasts with the deep colours of the accompaniment from which the complaint of the solo cello often stands out.