40 years of archives with INA

To prolong the festivities in honour of Les Arts Florissants’ 40^thanniversary, we invite you to discover ten episodes of video archives from INA, the French National Audiovisual Institute.

They include gems such as an Arts Florissants performance at Versailles with Presidents Reagan and Mitterrand in attendance, a young William Christie preparing concerts and meals at his new home in Vendée in 1984, and—ten years later—his appearance on Bernard Pivot’s popular talk show ‘Bouillon de Culture’ discussing his love of France alongside fellow guest Alfredo Arias. These flashes from the past will bring back fond memories for some and offer others remarkable new glimpses into the ensemble’s early days. 

Explore this collection of rare and striking footage on our YouTube channel or at INA.fr. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8ltSP2mqeAj-K9_3n8pgDJDK_wHjxDq0

Photo legend: William Christie in 1990, conducting the incidental music composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier for Molière's Le Malade imaginaire.