In the baroque period, showy, brilliant music was associated with festivities at court, whether for celebrating a peace treaty as in the case of Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks, or for the wedding of the brother of the French king in the case of Francœur’s festive suite. Handel’s work is one of his most famous compositions, while the name of the French composer François Francœur is almost unknown to today’s audiences. Nevertheless, this composer and concertmaster of the Paris opera was one of the most influential figures of musical life in pre–revolutionary France, and his music was popular at the court of King Louis XV. programme F. Francoeur — Symphonies du Festin royal — de monseigneur le comte d’Artois G. F. Händel — Music for the Royal Fireworks HWV 351 — Water Music HWV 348–350 performers Václav Luks conductor Collegium 1704