Ensemble Contraste

In 1963, Colette Renard composed this irresistibly poetic and bawdy song: “Les Nuits d'une Demoiselle”, an iconoclastic diary of the nocturnal life of a woman in tune with her century and its asserted independence. 

In keeping with this adventurous spirit, Ensemble Contraste invites the truculent and talented mezzo-soprano Lucile Richardot to embody the nocturnal chronicles that the poetesses and poets of Paris from the Belle Époque to the post-war period imagined in their timeless songs. 

Whether adorned with happy or disappointed loves, grandiloquent romanticism or daily routine, “Les Nuits d'une Demoiselle” will be an opportunity to reconcile our learned composers Poulenc, Satie, Lili Boulanger... and our unforgettable troubadours Gainsbourg, Barbara, Béart, Vian. All this in an intimate instrumental setting combining viola, clarinet, piano and double bass to accompany the singular Lucile Richardot!

Cast:

Lucile Richardot, mezzo-soprano

Ensemble Contraste
Arnaud Thorette, alto
Rozenn Le Trionnaire, clarinet
Alix Merckx, double bass
Johan Farjot, piano, arrangements

Program:

BARBARA
La solitude

G. BÉART
Il n'y a plus d'après

F. VÉRAN
Je hais les dimanches

J. BREL
Au suivant

B. VIAN
La complainte du progrès

S. GAINSBOURG
Black Trombone

G. VERLOR
C'était bien (Le p'tit bal perdu)

A. PIAZZOLLA
Oblivion

L. BOULANGER
Nocturne

F. POULENC
La reine de coeur

J. OFFENBACH
Ô mon cher amant (La Périchole)

G. FAURÉ
Sicilienne

C. RENARD & R. LEGRAND
Les Nuits d'une Demoiselle

Y. MONTAND
Incurably Romantic

C. PORTER
I love Paris

B.MERRILL
Mambo italiano

L. FERRÉ
Jolie môme

Running time: 1h15 without intermission