Arsys Bourgogne / Mihály Zeke NAISSANCE DE VÉNUS

Directed by the young conductor Mihály Zeke, Arsys Bourgogne is a vocal ensemble whose mission is to perform everything from early choral music to contemporary compositions. Founded in 1999 by Pierre Cao, who conducted the ensemble for 15 years, Arsys Bourgogne has a rich history filled with quality and excellence. The ensemble is comprised of 8 to 16 singers and takes on six centuries of a cappella vocal repertoire as well as choral works with orchestra.

Since taking on the artistic direction in 2015, Mihály Zeke has brought Arsys Bourgogne into new and original choral music experiences. He is interested in forging links between Early and New music by creating strong relationships with today’s composers, such as Alexandros Markeas and Benoît Menut.

From Claudio Monteverdi to Olivier Messiaen, through Johann Sebastian Bach Giacinto Scelsi and Philippe Hersant, Arsys Bourgogne’s programs showcase composers from different eras in order to bring a new sense of meaning to each work. The ensemble also proposes new multidisciplinary programs that have elements of dramaturgy and staging.

Arsys Bourgogne embarks on a journey through the landscape of secular French 20th century choral music with Naissance de Vénus, a recording featuring emblematic repertoire such as the Trois chansons by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, Un soir de neige by Francis Poulenc, as well as the Cinq rechants by Olivier Messiaen. Lesser known jewels, such as Joseph Canteloube’s Chants paysans, Darius Mihaud’s Naissance de Vénus and the virtuosic À contre-voix by Florent Schmitt round out this fine collection of French a cappella works.