Invitation au voyage
Véronique Gens & James Baillieu

‘There, all is order and beauty,
Luxury, peace and pleasure.’  
– Charles Baudelaire  

Paris, late nineteenth century. In the hushed atmosphere of the salons, dresses twirl and jewels sparkle while the champagne flows and witticisms fly back and forth. Only the sound of a piano, a voice rich in emotion and the verses of the greatest poets of the time interrupt the social conversations. Subtle and refined, French melody excels in the art of bringing text to life, combining the delicacy of the vocal curve, the science of rhythm and matchless harmonies.  

Who better to perform this demanding repertoire than one of its most outstanding ambassadors! A renowned storyteller, a regular at our house and recently nominated for Best Female Singer of the Year at the 2025 International Opera Awards, the soprano Véronique Gens will present a poetically inflected recital, featuring the most beautiful pieces by Charles Gounod, Edmond de Polignac, Gabriel Fauré, Henri Duparc and Reynaldo Hahn.  

By buying a ticket for this charity recital, you are supporting the fight against cancer, as half the proceeds will go directly to the Fondation contre le Cancer. More information.