As “Keeper of the King’s Instruments” for Louis XV, Christophe Chiquelier Jr’s work was endless but no doubt fulfilling. He was a master musical instrument maker, supplier of harpsichords to the Royal Family, and an instrument collector. But for a brief time during his youth, he was a soldier in Louisbourg, the capital of the French colony of Île Royale, known today as Cape Breton Island.

SHOWNOTES

MUSICAL CREDITS:

-- Concerts royaux, Quatrième concert – Sarabanda – Armonie Symphony Orchestra, Stefano Seghedoni

-- Pièces de clavecin VI. L’Aimable. Rondeau

-- JS Bach Italian Concerto, BWV. 971 – 2. Andante [harp]

-- Carolan’s Welcome from The Celtic Lute by Ronn McFarlane

-- Reel la Rocque – Les Habitants

-- Andreas Böhlen – baroque recorders, Aline Zylberajch, harpsichord French Baroque Music

-- Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687) – Orchestral Suite from ‘Alceste’

VIDEO CREDITS:

-- The Start of New France - Quebec's First Winter - Canada A People's History - CBC

-- Louisbourg - NFB

-- Louisbourg Under Siege - NFB

PHOTO CREDITS:

-- Two harbour paintings by Lewis Parker

SOURCES:

1. “Les derniers musiciens du roi de l’Ancien Régime. Versailles-Paris 1761-1792” – Youri Carbonnier

2. “After Midnight We Danced Until Daylight”: Music, Song and Dance in Cape Breton, 1713-1758 – Kenneth Donovan

3. “La Complainte de Louisbourg : chansons de sieges et circulation des cultures militaires entre Europe et Acadie à l’époque coloniale” – Éva Guillore