Les Arts Florissants

An ensemble of singers and instrumentalists specialized in the performance on period instruments, Les Arts Florissants has played a pioneering role in the revival of Baroque repertoire. Founded in 1979 by William Christie, it gives around one hundred concerts and opera performances each season, in France and internationally, and has produced an extensive discography – especially in its own collection with the harmonia mundi record label. Since 2020, British tenor and conductor Paul Agnew is its co-musical director. The ensemble has been in residence at the Philharmonie de Paris since 2015. It has launched several education programs for young musicians, among them Le Jardin des Voix academy, the Arts Flo Juniors program, and a collaboration with the Juilliard School. In the village of Thiré (Vendée, Pays de la Loire), Les Arts Florissants created in 2012 the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie, followed by a Spring Festival in 2017 and was labeled “Centre Culturel de Rencontre” in 2017 for its project of an international artistic campus. 2018 saw the creation of the Fondation Les Arts Florissants – William Christie.

Les Arts Florissants receives financial support from the State, the Regional Direction of Cultural Affairs (DRAC), the Département de la Vendée and the Région Pays de la Loire. The Selz Foundation is their Principal Sponsor. Aline Foriel-Destezet and the American Friends of Les Arts Florissants are Major Sponsors. Les Arts Florissants have been artists in residence at the Philharmonie de Paris since 2015.