The Sinfonie Saint-Julien (= SSJ) is made up of professional players who specialise in early classical music and are also members of some of the most prestigious ensembles, including Les Arts Florissants, the Chapelle Royale, the Symphonie du Marais, La Grande Écurie et la Chambre du Roy. Founded in 1995, the Sinfonie Saint-Julien partners the Versailles Choir School in the oratorio repertoire. Its name is an allusion to the first church in Versailles dedicated to St Julian, patron saint of strolling fiddlers and other instrumental players, which was replaced by the church of Notre Dame in 1686. |