13 September 2024

HUYGENS! with La Sfera Armoniosa

Discover the multifaceted life of Constantijn Huygens (1596-1687) in a musical performance of word, image and smell. This 17th-century Hague native, buried in the Grote Kerk in The Hague, in addition to being a well-known diplomat and secretary to three stadtholders, was a talented poet, musician, art connoisseur, architect and scientist. Not long ago it was discovered that he was also a passionate perfumer: more than 150 recipes by his hand have been preserved.

During the performance, colleague Ineke Huysman, project manager of the Letters of Constantijn Huygens, talks about the versatile Huygens and the many female contacts Huygens had. Stories and images show how he and his girlfriends influenced each other’s lives. In addition, the baroque company La Sfera Armoniosa (nominated for an Edison this year), conducted by Mike Fentross, plays music from Huygens’ own compositions and those of his musical contacts, such as Lanier, Foscarini, Monteverdi and Lambert.