Boston Early Music Festival Presents: Les Arts Florissants

William Christie and Paul Agnew reunite to lead Les Arts Florissants in a program devoted to Claudio Monteverdi’s madrigals. The performance traces the form’s range, from intricate polyphonic writing and dissonant vocal textures to more elaborate music with a strong dance character, and concludes with Monteverdi’s dramatic *Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda* (*The Combat of Tancred and Clorinda*).

Christie will lead the continuo from the harpsichord, while Agnew directs and sings with an ensemble of established and emerging Baroque vocalists. This marks their first joint Les Arts Florissants program since the group’s 40th anniversary in 2019 and Christie’s return to Boston.

When: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Showtime: 7:30pm

Program: Monteverdi madrigals, culminating in *Il Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda* (*The Combat of Tancred and Clorinda*).

Performers: Les Arts Florissants

Leadership: William Christie and Paul Agnew, co-directors. Christie also leads the continuo from the harpsichord, and Agnew leads and performs with the vocal ensemble.

Tickets: $30 and up

Venue: Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory, 290 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115

Format: In-person event.

Admission: Open to the public.

Run time: Not specified.

Age guidance: Not specified.

Questions: Boston Early Music Festival can be reached at 617-661-1812 for programming or ticketing questions.