The renowned Baroque music ensemble Les Arts Florissants (LAF) presents a 21-city North American tour marking the 300th anniversary of Antonio Vivaldi’s beloved Four Seasons. The tour is led by young virtuoso violinist and dedicated LAF member Théotime Langlois de Swarte, and comes to Hodgson Concert Hall Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS AT 300
Published in 1725, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons is one of the most popular works of all time and played an essential role in the composer’s fame. Théotime Langlois de Swarte says, “For one of the best-known composers in Western music, it is astonishing there are still so many facets to explore.”
The spring 2025 tour marks the first time since 2001 that Les Arts Florissants travels coast to coast in America, and visits so many cities. It is also the first time that a LAF tour is led by a musician from the third generation of Les Arts Florissants. The tour program, performed by 12 musicians, complements Vivaldi’s Four Seasons by including works of Monteverdi, Uccellini, and Geminiani, Baroque composers who influenced Vivaldi’s approach, and those he in turn inspired.
THÉOTIME LANGLOIS DE SWARTE
“Théotime Langlois de Swarte reminds me why I fell in love with the Baroque violin in the first place.”—Gramophone
Violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte is rapidly emerging as a much sought-after violin soloist on both Baroque and modern instruments, as well as a chamber musician, recitalist, and conductor. He became a member of Les Arts Florissants while still a student at the Paris Conservatory, and regularly appears as soloist with the ensemble. His many awards include a 2022 Ambassador of the REMA European Early Music Network, and winner of the Diapason d’Or for his Vivaldi-Locatelli-Leclair album.
Alongside his instrumental work, de Swarte is emerging as a conductor. In 2023 he led performances at l’Opera-Comique of Lully’s Le bourgeois gentilhomme and Gretry’s Zemire et Azor. He returns to l’Opera-Comique to lead Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride in November, 2025. De Swarte plays a 1665 Jacob Stainer violin loaned to him by the Jumpstart Foundation.
LES ARTS FLORISSANTS
“For decades [Les Arts Florissants] have been fulfilling the task of any truly important cultural institution: opening up new worlds of beauty and excitement, both emotional and intellectual.”—New York Times
An ensemble of singers and instrumentalists specialized in the performance on period instruments, Les Arts Florissants has played a pioneering role in the revival of Baroque repertoire. Founded in 1979 by William Christie, it gives around 100 concerts and opera performances each season, in France and internationally, and has produced an extensive discography, especially in its own collection with the harmonia mundi record label. British tenor and conductor Paul Agnew became its co-musical director in 2020.
The Ensemble has been in residence at the Philharmonie de Paris since 2015. It has launched several education programs for young musicians, among which Le Jardin des Voix academy, the Arts Flo Juniors program and a collaboration with The Juilliard School. In the village of Thiré (Vendée, Pays de la Loire), Les Arts Florissants created in 2012 the Festival Dans les Jardins de William Christie, followed by a Spring Festival in 2017 and was labelled “Centre Culturel de Rencontre” in 2017 for its project of an international artistic campus.
TOUR PROGRAM
Les Arts Florissants
Théotime Langlois de Swarte, violinist and leader
Claudio Monteverdi: Adoramus te, SV 289 (transcription)
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for strings and basso continuo “Madrigalesco” RV 129
Marco Uccellini: Bergamasca
Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto in D Minor, RV 813
Francesco Geminiani: Concerto XII in D Minor “Follia” (after Corelli)
Antonio Vivaldi: The Four Seasons:
Concerto No. 1 in E Major, Op. 8, RV 269, “Spring”
Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 8, RV 315, “Summer”
Overture to The Faithful Nymph in F Major, FV 714
Concerto No. 3 in F Major, Op. 8, RV 293, “Autumn”
Grave from Violin Concerto in B-flat Major, RV 370
Concerto No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 8, RV 297, “Winter”
PERFORMANCE TALK
Join us for a free pre-performance talk by Brian Roach in Ramsey Concert Hall from 6:45-7:15 pm.
SUPPORTED BY
Marty Farnsworth
Richard Owens
BUYING TICKETS IS EASY
Securing tickets for UGA Presents performances couldn’t be easier. There are three ways to choose from:
- Purchase tickets online 24/7 here.
- Call the Performing Arts Center Box Office at (706) 542-4400, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center Box Office, Mon.-Fri., 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (5 minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
You may also create your own series of three or more performances (10% off). UGA Presents single tickets start at just $25 with promo code PAC25 and UGA student tickets are $10.