Bal des Ardents for orchestra (2020)
6-1/2 minutes
In January of 1393, a masquerade ball to celebrate the marriage of one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting was held at the French royal court. Six men, including King Charles VI, performed a dance as "wild men," disguised in costumes made of flammable materials. Because of this, naked flames were prohibited from the hall. Later, however, a somewhat drunk Duke of Orleans arrived with a lit torch. Trying to guess the identities of the dancers, he came too close to them and ignited their costumes. While the King hid under the skirts of his cousin, and another dancer jumped into a vat of wine to put out the flames, the other four were burned alive. In an attempt to make amends for the disaster, the King made a pilgrimage through the streets of Paris.
6-1/2 minutes
In January of 1393, a masquerade ball to celebrate the marriage of one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting was held at the French royal court. Six men, including King Charles VI, performed a dance as "wild men," disguised in costumes made of flammable materials. Because of this, naked flames were prohibited from the hall. Later, however, a somewhat drunk Duke of Orleans arrived with a lit torch. Trying to guess the identities of the dancers, he came too close to them and ignited their costumes. While the King hid under the skirts of his cousin, and another dancer jumped into a vat of wine to put out the flames, the other four were burned alive. In an attempt to make amends for the disaster, the King made a pilgrimage through the streets of Paris.
| bal_des_ardents_-_score.pdf |