Anne Chabanceau de La Barre, sometimes given as Anne de La Barre, (July 3, 1628 – March 7, 1688) was a French soprano of the Baroque era.[1]
Anne Chabanceau de La Barre | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | July 3, 1628 |
| Origin | France |
| Died | March 7, 1688 |
| Occupation | Soprano |
Life and career
editAnne Chabanceau de La Barre was born in Paris, France on July 3, 1628.[1] She was the daughter of Pierre Chabanceau de La Barre (1592-1656), organist of the chapelle royale at Notre-Dame, sieur of La Barre,[2] and sister of Joseph Chabanceau de La Barre (1633-1678), composers of airs.[3]
Anne made her debut in opera in 1647 in Orfeo by Luigi Rossi. Between 1652 and 1654, she travelled widely in Northern Europe, and sang at the court of Queen Christina of Sweden in Stockholm for some time. She was made kammarsångerska, singer of the royal court in 1653-1654, alongside her brother Joseph (1633–78) who was court singer in 1650-1654. She later appeared at the court of Denmark.
Back in France, she sang in several "comédie-ballets" by Jean-Baptiste Lully such as Galanterie du Temps, Alcidiane, La Raillerie, and Princesse d'Élide. She took part in the creation of Ercole amante by Francesco Cavalli in 1662, during the composer's stay in France.
In 1661, she was named "fille ordinaire de la musique de la Chambre du Roi", meaning roughly a member of the king's private music ensemble (or court soprano), a very prestigious post that she kept until her death. In 1667, she married Antoine Coquerel, and ended her stage career.
Painting rediscovered
edit
In 2023, a painting (a fine lady holding a music score by Adriaen Hanneman 165(7)) purchased by S.Plovie was identified to portray Anne de La Barre, marking the first known portrait of her 4. The identification was made possible through several clues within the painting itself. Anne de La Barre is depicted holding a music score. On the score, the words "Courante La Barre (Jos)eph" and the text "Allez où le sort vous conduit" can be discerned. These elements directed further examination to the remnants of the sitter's name on the pillar, where several letters are visible. The characters "M - d (a or e) m - - e l (a or e) ," followed by "Barre" readable under proper lighting, suggest the name could be either "Madame de La Barre" or "Mademoiselle Barre."
Remarkably, this painting contains a "Courante" by Joseph de La Barre, which was previously thought to be lost (Lisandro Abadie, The revue de musicologie, vol 94, pg 12)5. This discovery not only provides Anne with a face but also enriches the history of the Baroque music. S. Plovie has compiled a research note detailing the discoveries related to the painting "Unveiling Anne de La Barre - A lost portrait and musical score rediscovered". 6
The poem "Allez où le sort vous conduit," written by Tristan L'Hermite, was composed for Anne de La Barre's departure in 1652 as she began her renowned journey towards Sweden. The first verse of the poem reads:
"Allez où le sort vous conduit; Il faut partir, adorable Amarante; Bien loin, comme une étoile errante, Vous brillerez au milieu de la nuit; Pour moi, je veux jusqu’au trépas Avoir l’honneur d’accompagner vos pas, Et de chanter en tous lieux vos louanges, Lorsque d’une voix, Comme celle des anges, Vous ferez des lois." (Recueil des plus beaux vers, published in Paris in 1661 pages 16-17) 7
References
edit- ^ a b Jane M. Bowers (2001). "la Barre, Anne de". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/omo/9781561592630.013.90000381071.
- ^ Jacques-Gabriel Prod'homme Ecrits de musiciens: (XVe-XVIIIe siècles) 1985 "LES CHABANCEAU DE LA BARRE (xvne siècle; Il yeut au dix-huitième siècle, plusieurs musiciens du nom de La Barre. Pierre de Chabanceau, fils de Pierre Chabanceau, sieur de La Barre, organiste de Notre-Dame,"
- ^ Jane M. Bowers (2001). "La Barre family [Chabanceau de la Barre]". Grove Music Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.15745.
- L'opéra baroque, les chanteurs de Lully, Jean-Claude Brenac.
- Leif Jonsson, Ann-Marie Nilsson, Greger Andersson: Musiken i Sverige. Från forntiden till stormaktstidens slut 1720 ("Music in Sweden. From Antiquity to the end of the Great power era 1720") (In Swedish)
External links
edit- Le magazine de l'opéra baroque (French)
- [1] Research note by S. Plovie "Unveiling Anne de La Barre - A lost portrait and musical score rediscovered"
- [2] Lisandro Abadie - Anne de La Barre (1628-1688): Biographie d'une chanteuse de cour
- https://brievenconstantijnhuygens.net/2024/11/18/la-divine-amaranthe-een-portret-van-anne-de-la-barre-herontdekt/ La divine Amaranthe-een portret van anne de la barra herontdekt