The lyrical company Les Épopées takes its name from those great constituent narratives, which still inspire us to dream even today. Under the impetus of its conductor, Stéphane Fuget, it is weaving a musical journey that is producing a rich and moving vision, beyond the limits of musical notation. Indeed, the score is merely a framework, a sort of ‘trompe-l’oeil’.
The interpretation must seek to find life beyond the simple pattern which the notes form: the threnody of baroque song, is at one and the same time dressed in an extravagant profusion of ornaments and very declamatory.
In terms of ornamentation, the music must be a reflection of the Baroque world. At that time, architecture, sculpture, painting, clothing, the art of the table, every detail of life was filled with ornamentation. Music was no exception to this fashion, but for practical reasons of clarity, the vast majority of these ornaments were not noted on the scores. It was up to the performers, relying on the sources, to re-establish the incredible ornamental profusion. Thus adorned, the interpretation allows the music to sparkle, just as the sun enhances the shimmering of the mirrors in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. As far as declamation is concerned, the voice makes the text clearer by enriching the musical line with a multitude of micro-intervals, tiny inflections. We no longer refer to the pitch of notes, but the pitch of declamation. With speech thus liberated, the text is suddenly comprehensible, and at last in the foreground. Closer to us, and carried freely by the emotion of the song, it goes directly to the heart of the listener.
The result is a very modern, unexpected and striking sound, with an emotional charge to which it is difficult to remain indifferent …
With the conviction that the mix of established performers and young artists is rich in promise, the company welcomes both internationally renowned artists and brilliant musicians of the younger generation.
Les Épopées are frequently invited to the Château de Versailles where they recorded and performed the complete Grands Motets by Lully and the operas by Monteverdi. The first volume of Lully’s grands motets was also filmed for ARTE in July 2020.
The company is also in residence at Arques-la-Bataille for a series of concerts of court arias, and at the Beaune International Baroque and Romantic Opera Festival for the trilogy of Monteverdi operas. Monteverdi’s ‘Orfeo’, performed in July 2022, was filmed by France TV.
Les Épopées is also regularly invited to perform in France and abroad: Austria (Konzerthaus in Vienna, Theater an der Wien), Belgium (Bozar in Brussels), Germany (Berlin Philharmonic, Rheinvokal Festival, Potsdam, etc.), Latvia (Great Amber Hall in Liepaja), Poland (Gorczycki Festiwal), Norway (Barokkfest in Trondheim), Mexico (Mexico City, San Luis Potosi), Singapore (L’Esplanade), Japan (Sakura Hall in Tokyo, Kyoto, Sendai, Hiroshima, etc.), Philharmonie de Paris, Cathédrale des Invalides, Arsenal de Metz, etc.
Les Épopées are firmly rooted in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, their home region. In August 2021, under the direction of Claire Lefilliâtre, the company set up its summer academy there, in conjunction with its festival: Au coeur de l’Yonne.
Les Épopées regularly receive support from the DRAC Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the Région Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, the Département de l’Yonne, the Communautés de Communes et Communes du Grand sénonais et du Jovinien, the Adami, the Spedidam, the Sacem, the Centre National de la Musique, the Canopé network and the Institut français. The Caisse des Dépôts is the main sponsor of Les Épopées. Les Épopées is also supported by the Orange Foundation.