Nationality, Era, Instruments, Building in Alignment - Wow! - Wednesday, 5 April

it was a full house!

Tonight it was a concert of music by the French Baroque composer Marc-Antoine Charpontier played on period (or period-replica) instruments at the Oratoire du Louvre (145, rue Saint-Honoré in the 1st arrondissement). Somehow I had never been to this venue before - it’s terrific and in the very center of town (just a block from the Louvre) and beautifully accessible. Its construction began in 1611 and it was made the royal chapel of the Louvre palace by Louis XIII in 1623.

the "upper room" at the
Oratoire du Louvre

Subsequently it became the home of the “Eglise Réformée de l'Oratoire du Louvre” protestant church, and The American Church in Paris used its “upper room” for its worship starting in 1816, before that congregation built its church in the 7th arrondissement (my favorite Sunday haunt!). I must explore the Oratoire some more next trip!

Anyhoo, the performances and program were excellent. There’s something about listening to music composed in the era of the building you’re occupying by a composer of that nation played on instruments he would know that can transport you to another reality! Sorry to say, though, that my reverie was broken a few times by the very uncomfortable and small chairs that filled the sanctuary!

"Écoute"
(aka the big giant head)

Walking back to the apartment, I passed my favorite outdoor sculputre, one that entranced me on my second trip to Paris back in 1989, Henri de Miller's "Écoute" on the plaza outside Saint-Eustache church. It was even more magical in the light of the streetlamps.

Tomorrow morning it’s up early to pack and turn my keys back to Philippe and catch an Uber to Aéroport Charles de Gaulle for my trip back to reality. It’s my least favorite part of the trip! But hopefully it’s “à bientôt” (see you soon), not “au revoir” to my favorite home-away-from-home!