Les Argonautes, Jonas Descotte, Allérat, Dolcini, Roset, Pichanick, Vieira Leite
Biography Les Argonautes, Jonas Descotte, Allérat, Dolcini, Roset, Pichanick, Vieira Leite
L’Ensemble les Argonautes
Based in Geneva, Les Argonautes is an ensemble with variable geometry, specialising in baroque music. Founded by Jonas Descotte, who is responsible for the artistic direction and the creation of the programmes, the Argonautes Ensemble brings together young artists who have performed on the most important baroque stages.
By putting together customised teams for each programme, Jonas and the Ensemble Les Argonautes want to give their performers freedom of choice and detail. This work of responsibility creates a real connection with the other participants: each person in turn becomes the guide of this music, guiding the others, and then passing the baton.
The name Argonauts comes from Greco-Roman mythology. The Argonauts are a group of mythical heroes who set out to conquer the Golden Fleece on the ship Argo, celebrated as the first ship in history. This mythological image of a pioneering expedition is of particular interest to the ensemble: indeed, Les Argonautes wants to create a new perspective, an innovative musical dynamism.
In mythology, the Argonauts are heroes of character, drawing on the resources of each individual to form a united and effective group. Thus Tiphys pilots the Argo, while Argos built it. Jason is the instigator of the epic, and Orpheus sets the pace for the rowers from his lyre.
This metaphor of the individual in the group is a reflection of what the ensemble wants in its musical practice. Each musician brings his or her own experience and musicality to the work, proposing through knowledge of his or her part the importance of his or her interpretation. And then, like Orpheus, Tiphys or Jason, an outside ear channels the will of each individual to give a direction, a destination.
Jonas Descotte
After six years of family travel around the Atlantic on a catamaran, Jonas Descotte's mind was enriched with discoveries and he started to learn music when he returned to the south of France. Initially an instrumentalist, he began his apprenticeship with the cello. Passionate about baroque music and singing, he joined Luc Coadou's class as a countertenor. In order to perfect his vocal training, he took courses in organ, renaissance polyphony, chamber music, choral conducting, and even tango music. Jonas then entered the HEM in Geneva in Nathalie Stutzmann's class in 2016. He participated in the 22nd European Baroque Academy of Ambronay directed by Paul Agnew who later wrote the preface to the first album of the Argonauts. Jonas also collaborates with various Swiss, French and more widely European ensembles.
Jonas founded his own ensemble based in Geneva, and is its artistic director: Les Argonautes.
The ensemble performs mainly in the Geneva region and collaborates with its actors such as the Grand Théâtre de Genève. Through Les Argonautes and its various programmes, Jonas collaborates with many talented artists.
The epic of the Argonauts seems to be a perfect metaphor for the ensemble's policy: heroes of character, strong in their individual exploits, guided by Jason, channelling the resources of each one to form a united and efficient group.
