Photo : Getty Images / Stevanovic Igor
Corelli's Christmas Concerto & Vivaldi's Four Seasons
Lose yourself in the intricate beauty of Vivaldi's Seasons and Corelli's timeless festive melodies echoing through a historic sanctuary. It is the perfect atmospheric escape to rediscover baroque masterpieces performed by a talented ensemble of young virtuosos.
Eglise Saint Germain des Prés (Paris 6th)
About
The Hélios Orchestra performs at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church on December 19 and 29, 2026, featuring a festive classical repertoire. Led by artistic director Paul Savalle and joined by solo violinist Glen Rouxel, the ensemble will present Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and renditions of Ave Maria by Caccini and Schubert. This concert is suitable for attendees aged 12 and older. With various ticket tiers available, including discounted rates for students and the unemployed, it offers a unique opportunity to experience these baroque masterpieces within a historic Parisian setting between 20:00 and 22:00.
Orchestre Helios
Solo Violin: Glen Rouxel
Christmas Night Concerto by Corelli / Ave Maria by Caccini & Schubert / The Four Seasons by Vivaldi.
Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8 by Arcangelo Corelli, better known as the Christmas Concerto, was commissioned by Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni and published posthumously in 1714. The concerto bears the inscription Fatto per la notte di Natale (made for Christmas night).
The concerto is written for an ensemble consisting of two concertino violins and cello, ripieno strings, and continuo.
Dynamic and eclectic, the Helios Orchestra has established itself since its creation in 2014.
Its artistic director, Paul Savalle, promotes the professional integration of young musicians through orchestral practice. Thus, young graduates mingle with experienced orchestral musicians, conductors, and soloists in optimal working conditions.
From baroque music to contemporary music, the programs are varied, the repertoire is both symphonic and choral, with the orchestra partnering with departmental and regional choirs.
Thanks to the collaboration with different conductors, the musicians approach a very rich repertoire while expanding their range of interpretation. They all come from major French conservatories, some belonging to a national orchestra.
From string quartets to symphony orchestras, including brass ensembles, the orchestra is always expanding its audience by modulating its composition. The "string" ensemble performs in the most prestigious churches in Paris, allowing the public to discover a very rich architectural heritage.
Its variable geometry formation allows the Helios Orchestra to approach a very wide repertoire with passionate curiosity.
Our take on this event
The Saint-Germain-des-Prés Church, located in the 6th arrondissement, serves as the setting for two concerts by the Hélios Orchestra on December 19 and 29, 2026. Each performance runs from 20:45 to 22:00 and features solo violinist Glen Rouxel. The program highlights include Arcangelo Corelli’s Concerto grosso in G minor, Op. 6, No. 8, commonly known as the Christmas Concerto, along with Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons and vocal works by Caccini and Schubert.
Founded in 2014, the Hélios Orchestra is recognized for its dynamic approach, blending experienced musicians from national orchestras with talented young graduates from major French conservatories. Under the guidance of artistic director Paul Savalle, the ensemble continuously explores varied repertoires, ranging from symphony to choral works, while utilizing the acoustics of prestigious churches to enhance the listener's experience.
Tickets are available across multiple categories: Prestige at 60 euros, Carré Or at 40 euros, and a standard rate of 30 euros. A reduced rate of 20 euros is available for students and unemployed individuals. The event is open to guests aged 12 and up. Reservations are recommended to secure a place for these evenings of baroque music.
