Exploring the many riches to be found in the secular airs de cour—songs composed to entertain the French court during the 16th and 17th centuries—this is a fascinating and sparkling album. American-French conductor William Christie and his musicians journey through more than 20 of these colorful songs, from expressive, love-inspired laments (“N’espérez plus mes yeux,” “Quel espoir de guarir”) to the accompanied vocal jewel “Rossignol mon mignon” and the brilliant “Que dit-on au village ?,” a bawdy tale of a cowherd girl performed here with delightful theatricality. Lively instrumental pieces—ballets de cour and string suites—provide wonderful musical refreshments between the songs.