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Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre (1665-1729) was a pioneer in the history of music, one of the first to bring sonatas and cantatas into the French repertoire, and the first woman in France to compose a performed opera. She explored and pushed further the possibilities of musical composition, as well as writing some of the most beautiful pieces of the Baroque era. She worked under the patronage of the most powerful figures of this Grand Siècle that saw the absolute reign of Louis XIV and the construction of his dreamed Versailles. And yet, there are still many elements of mystery and unknown in this composer's story. Kate Molleson invites you to (re)discover the extraordinary adventures of a gifted musician, with a soupçon of French flair and lots of gorgeous music.

In this second episode, we follow young Elisabeth Jacquet as she joins the court in Versailles, and the circle of the most powerful woman in France. She also publishes her first harpsichord pieces.

Sonata No. 5 in A minor
from Sonates pour le Violon et pour le Clavecin (1707)
III. Presto
Lina Tur Bonet, baroque violin
Patxi Montero, bass viol
Kenneth Weiss, harpsichord

Sémélé ["Semele"] (excerpts)
from Cantates françaises (1715)
Marie-Sophie Pollak, soprano
Ensemble 392

Harpsichord Suite (No. 3) in A minor
from Les Pièces de clavecin; Premier Livre (1687)
VII. Chaconne
VIII. Gavotte
IX. Menuet
Frances Conover Fitch, harpsichord

Sonata No. 2 in D major
from Sonates pour le Violon et pour le Clavecin (1707)
Florence Malgoire, violin
Les Dominos

Sonata No. 1 in G minor (transcribed for organ)
from Sonates en Trio et pour Violon Seul et Basse Continue (1695)
V. Adagio
VI. Presto II
VII. Aria affettuoso
VIII. Becarre allegro
Vincent Genvrin, organ

Céphale et Procris ["Cephalus and Procris"]
Act I, Scene 1: "Lieux écartés, paisible solitude" (Procris)
Victoire Bunel, mezzo-soprano
Ensemble Il Caravaggio
Camille Delaforge, harpsichord/director

Harpsichord Suite (No. 4) in F major
from Les Pièces de clavecin; Premier Livre (1687)
I. Tocade
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Seconde courante
V. Sarabande
VI. Gigue
Marie van Rhijn, harpischord

Presented by Kate Molleson
Produced by Julien Rosa
A ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3