Le Trésor d'Orphée, Paris 1600

Le Trésor d’Orphée by Anthoine Francisque

Published in Paris in 1600, Le Trésor d’Orphée by Anthoine Francisque (ca. 1570–1605) marks the revival of lute music in France after the Wars of Religion. It was the first lute publication since 1571, the year of Adrian Le Roy’s last collection.

Carefully printed by Ballard, the volume contains seventy-one pieces combining polyphonic arrangements, fantasias, preludes, and dances. Its structure recalls that of sixteenth-century tablatures, although several pieces stand out for their originality. For example, the setting of Susanne un jour by Roland de Lassus is almost unrecognizable.

The collection bears witness to the stylistic transition from contrapuntal fantasia to harmonic prelude, foreshadowing the evolution of musical forms in the seventeenth century. Francisque, a lutenist and lute master, likely taught his art and took part in court ballets—precursors to opera. His death in Paris in 1605 marked the end of his contribution to the history of the lute.

This edition was prepared by Joël Dugot and Richard Civiol, based on the copy printed by Ballard and preserved at the Bibliothèque nationale de France.

Joël Dugot – Former Curator of the Paris Museum of Musical Instruments, Musicologist, Luthier, and Lutenist

A specialist in the lute, Joël Dugot initially studied philosophy before turning to instrument making. In 1977, he founded the journal Musique Ancienne, and in 1984 contributed to the creation of the French Lute Society, which he chaired until 2005. Curator at the Paris Museum of Music from 1987 to 2012, he oversaw the plucked string instrument collections and collaborated with CNRS on organology and musical iconography.

Richard Civiol – Lutenist

A musician and copyist, Richard Civiol has explored the lute and theorbo repertoire for several decades. Holder of a First Prize in musical composition, he performs both Renaissance and Baroque music and practices basso continuo. Member of L’Oiselière and Les Musiciens de Mademoiselle De Guise, he performs in France and abroad. He collaborates with various ensembles, orchestras, and choirs and works on the reconstruction of ancient manuscripts.

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions offer scores faithful to historical sources, optimized for musicians and musicologists. Our editions combine careful engraving, practical layout, durable materials, and detailed critical apparatus in multiple languages.

Each text is rigorously established note by note to ensure an authentic restitution of the works, including original fingerings and ornamentations, as well as relevant stylistic suggestions.

Created by experts, our editions provide clear readability and enlightened interpretation of early music repertoire.

• Editor(s): Joël Dugot & Richard Civiol
• Musical period: Renaissance
• Instrument(s): Renaissance Lute 8c/10c
• Instrumentation: Solo Renaissance lute
• Notation: French Tablature
• Modern edition: Urtext
• Publisher: Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions
• Year of publication: 2015
• Collection: Lute and Theorbo Music Collection
• Pages: 90 pp.
• Dimensions: 230x310 mm
• Weight: 0.320 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8806-7

Susane un jour - Susane un jour d'Orlande

Fantaisies - Fantaisie, Fantaisie

Préludes - Prélude, Prélude, Prélude

Passemaises - Passemaise, Passemaise, Passemaise

Pavanes - Pavane Espagnolle, Pavane d’Angleterre, Pavane d'Angleterre

Gaillardes - Fin de Gaillarde, Gaillarde, Gaillarde, Gaillarde

Les Branles simples - Premier Branle simple, Second, Troisiesme, Quatriesme, Cinquiesme, Sisiesme

Branles gays - Premier Branle gay, Second, Troisiesme

Branles de Poitou - Premier Branle de Poitou, Second, Troisiesme

Branles doubles de Poitou - Premier Branle double de Poitou, Second

Branles de Montirandé - Premier Branle de Montirandé, Second

La Gavotte - Gavotte

Branles à cordes avalées - Premier Branle simple à cordes avalées, Second, Troisiesme, Quatriesme, Branle gay, Premier Branle de Poitou, Second, Branle double du Poitou, Gavotte

Pavane - Pavane