Jean Rondeau, Nicholas Alstaedt & Thomas Dunford
Three leading early music performers unite in music by Marais, Forqueray, Couperin and others, exploring the brilliance and elegance of the French Baroque.
Harpsichordist Jean Rondeau, cellist Nicolas Altstaedt and lutenist Thomas Dunford are long-time collaborators, bringing a shared musical language to this repertoire, combining clarity with expressive freedom and finely detailed ornamentation.
Their programme unfolds across a sequence of suites, bringing together preludes, dances and character pieces side by side.
Music by Louis Couperin and his nephew François frames the programme, from the clarity of Préludes to the poised charm of La favorite, while graceful dance movements by Robert de Visée illustrate the refined sounds of the French court.
Marais’ music captures that same courtly elegance, where dance rhythms and lyrical lines unfold with poise and control.
Pieces including Les voix humaines and Les folies d’Espagne reveal both intimacy and expressive breadth, while the Tombeau pour Monsieur de Sainte-Colombe brings a more reflective, inward voice.
By contrast, Forqueray’s works are fiery and intense, pushing the expressive and technical limits of courtly music.
Together, these composers reveal a richly varied musical world, shaped by courtly culture yet alive with individuality and invention.
Performers
Thomas Dunford lute
Nicolas Altstaedt cello
Jean Rondeau harpsichord
Repertoire
Programme includes: Works by Marais, Forqueray & Couperin
Need to know
Times & tickets
Dates, times and prices
Dates & times
25 Oct 2026, 2pm
Run time
2 hours (approx)
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Standard entry
from £18 + £4 booking fee
Ticket prices may be adjusted without notice to reflect demand.
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Discounts apply to selected events, September 2026 – January 2027 inclusive. Offer can’t be combined with the Spring/Summer 2026 multi-buy.
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This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
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