Soloists' Biographies

Esther Labourdette

Following a complete course of studies at the Maîtrise de Radio-France, French soprano Esther Labourdette studied singing in Paris and specialised in medieval and Renaissance vocal music, as well as in baroque singing.

A well-renowned early-music singer, she has collaborated and recorded with many ensembles, including Musica Nova, Doulce Mémoire, Sequentia, Discantus, Elyma...

With her ensemble I Sospiranti, she regularly performs in solo recitals with lute and is often invited to collaborate with some of the most distinguished French experts in literature and musicology.

She sang the part of the Musicienne in the French national tour of Lully's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme that was directed by Catherine Hiégel, as well as the leading role of Sangaride in Lully's Atys.

Esther Labourdette has also become a sought-after contemporary music singer and is often called upon by composers to perform their works. She collaborates regularly with Thierry Machuel and sang the part of la Malaspina in Salvatore Sciarrino's opera Luci mie traditrici at the Kyiv Opera House.

Upcoming Concerts

22 August 2024
Brauweiler, Germany (Abteikirche St. Nikolaus Brauweiler), 7.30 pm
Musen der Sphären (World Premiere)

24 October 2024
Prague, University of Prague (Boethius 150th anniversary)
Boethius - Songs of Consolation (Quartet)

14 February 2025
Kulturzentrum Peterskirche, Kempen
Musen der Sphären

See full concert schedule

News

Benjamin Bagby's teaching activities in 2019

In March 2019, Benjamin will give two weekend courses on the solo songs of Philippe le Chancelier (d. 1236). The courses are being hosted by the Centre de Musique Médiévale de Paris. Dates: 9-10 and 30-31 March.
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After retiring from his teaching position at the University of Paris - Sorbonne, where he taught between 2005 and 2018 in the professional masters program, Benjamin Bagby continues to travel widely in 2019 to teach practical workshops for young professionals:

Folkwang Universität der Künste (Essen-Werden, Germany).
Benjamin has joined the faculty of this renowned masters program for liturgical chant performance and medieval music. The dates of his courses in 2019: 5-7 April; 26-28 April; 17-19 May; 30 May–01 June.
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For the second year in a row, Benjamin will teach an intensive course in the 8th International Course on Medieval Music Performance (Besalú, Spain): Songs of the troubadours (for singers and instrumentalists).
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Amherst Early Music Festival (Connecticut College, New London CT) 21-28 July:
An intensive course on the solo cansos of the Occitan troubadours, with a focus on songs from the great Milan songbook Bibl. Ambr. R71 sup. (for singers and instrumentalists).
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