Oh, ma belle brunette

The brunette is not only a dark‑haired young woman, but also a musical genre that became highly fashionable at the end of the 17th century. These short, tender airs - often centred on themes of love or nature - were sung by professionals and amateurs alike, either solo or with accompaniment, and shaped the French musical taste of the period.

Between 1703 and 1711, the Parisian publisher Ballard released three influential volumes of brunettes, dance songs and airs de cour, often enriched with virtuosic doubles. At the same time, a new instrument was gaining immense popularity: the traverso. Composers and performers such as Hotteterre, Montéclair and Boismortier adapted numerous brunettes for the baroque flute, creating a refined repertoire for voice, flute and basso continuo.

The success of these collections reveals how widespread this musical practice was: melodies sung and played at home — the “hits of the year” long before recordings existed. This programme brings that intimate and elegant sound world back to life.

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