CHF 20
Crowdified!
This project has been successfully funded on 08. December 2025. Thanks to the 13 boosters that made it possible!
Semele: Debut Album
Le Sommeil's debut album for Pentatone
Verein Le Sommeil
Bättwil, CH
Margarita Slepakova
Project Overview
We are Le Sommeil, an award-winning baroque ensemble founded by mezzo-soprano Margarita Slepakova. In 2025 we signed a contract with leading classical music label Pentatone for our debut album Semele. Help us make this dream come true and bring to life rare works by Eccles, Marais, and Handel — a story of myth, dream, and transformation captured in sound.
34%
5.200 CHF
of 15.000 CHF
Crowdified
hurray!
13
Boosters
supported project
Funding goals
-
Stage 1:
5.000 CHF
100% funded
🎯 Essentials secured
- Sound engineer
- Hall rental
- Instrument rentals -
Stage 2:
7.000 CHF
10% funded
🎯 Stage 1 secured
+
🎯 Musicians’ fees
- Fair payment for the recording days -
Stage 3:
9.000 CHF
0% funded
🎯 Stage 1 secured
🎯 Stage 2 secured
+
🎯 Travel & accommodation
- Covers travel and lodging for 5 musicians coming from outside Basel -
Stage 4:
14.000 CHF
0% funded
🎯 Stage 1 secured
🎯 Stage 2 secured
🎯 Stage 3 secured
+
🎯 Vinyl pressing & extras
- Vinyl edition
- Extended booklet and design
- Collectible items for supporters -
Finish Stage:
15.000 CHF
0% funded
At this stage, all the essentials of the recording are secured: the professional sound engineer, the hall, and the instruments. The musicians can be fairly paid for their work, and travel support is provided for those coming from outside Basel.
In addition, we will produce a special vinyl edition with an extended booklet and design, turning Semele into a lasting collectible for our supporters.
Our true needs go up to CHF 15,000 – every stage beyond CHF 5,000 unlocks something essential.
Semele is our first album. In 2025 we signed with leading classical label Pentatone to release it. The program is built on the myth of Semele — a woman who chooses truth over illusion — and brings together the contrasting musical voices of John Eccles, Marin Marais, and Georg Friedrich Händel. It includes some of the most powerful arias and instrumental pieces from their three rarely heard Semele operas (1707, 1709, 1742). These works, though centuries old, still sound vivid and strikingly modern, ranging from fiery, dramatic scenes to intimate and ethereal moments.
This program has already won us the prize at the 60th Wratislavia Cantans Festival and been performed in concerts. Now we want to turn this story of myth, dream, and transformation into a lasting recording. The session is planned for December 2025 in Switzerland with sound director Ken Yoshida, and the release is scheduled for 2026.
This program has already won us the prize at the 60th Wratislavia Cantans Festival and been performed in concerts. Now we want to turn this story of myth, dream, and transformation into a lasting recording. The session is planned for December 2025 in Switzerland with sound director Ken Yoshida, and the release is scheduled for 2026.
Le Sommeil is an award-winning early music ensemble and interdisciplinary artistic project of international scope, founded by Margarita Slepakova – Polish mezzo-soprano, artistic director, and curator – together with a group of outstanding young soloists from the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, one of Europe’s leading institutions for early music. In 2025 Le Sommeil became a laureate of the jubilee competition at the 60th International Wratislavia Cantans Festival, where it premiered its Semele program, presented under the honorary patronage of the Institut Français. In the same year the ensemble signed a contract for its debut album Semele with the world-renowned label Pentatone. Earlier, their single Sur une mer was released by Universal and featured on the soundtrack of the film Wolf with Lily-Rose Depp and George MacKay.
As leading representatives of the young generation of European historical performers, the members of the ensemble are also active as soloists and collaborators with renowned groups such as Il Giardino Armonico, Il Pomo d’Oro, Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras, Les Talens Lyriques, and The English Concert, working under conductors of the stature of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Giovanni Antonini, Christophe Rousset, René Jacobs, Harry Bicket, and Andrea Marcon. They have won top prizes at competitions such as the MA Festival Competition in Bruges, the José Herrando International Baroque Violin Competition, and the Van Wassenaer International Competition for Oude Muziek Utrecht, as well as recording distinctions including the Diapason d’Or and Choc Classica.
The ensemble’s founder and artistic director, Margarita Slepakova, has also been selected for the prestigious REMA (Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne) Remarkable program, which supports the development of Le Sommeil at the European level. Le Sommeil seeks a contemporary resonance for early music, drawing inspiration from Jungian theories of archetypes and dreams. Their concerts are interdisciplinary in nature, combining music with elements of scenography, light, literary text, and scent to create a multi-dimensional experience.
As leading representatives of the young generation of European historical performers, the members of the ensemble are also active as soloists and collaborators with renowned groups such as Il Giardino Armonico, Il Pomo d’Oro, Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras, Les Talens Lyriques, and The English Concert, working under conductors of the stature of Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Giovanni Antonini, Christophe Rousset, René Jacobs, Harry Bicket, and Andrea Marcon. They have won top prizes at competitions such as the MA Festival Competition in Bruges, the José Herrando International Baroque Violin Competition, and the Van Wassenaer International Competition for Oude Muziek Utrecht, as well as recording distinctions including the Diapason d’Or and Choc Classica.
The ensemble’s founder and artistic director, Margarita Slepakova, has also been selected for the prestigious REMA (Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne) Remarkable program, which supports the development of Le Sommeil at the European level. Le Sommeil seeks a contemporary resonance for early music, drawing inspiration from Jungian theories of archetypes and dreams. Their concerts are interdisciplinary in nature, combining music with elements of scenography, light, literary text, and scent to create a multi-dimensional experience.
Margarita Slepakova – mezzo-soprano praised for the warmth of her timbre, coloratura virtuosity, and charismatic stage presence – works internationally as an opera, concert, and recital soloist, collaborating with ensembles and orchestras across Europe. She is also the founder and curator of the ensemble Le Sommeil. Her career began under the guidance of Sir John Eliot Gardiner; this collaboration grew into a long-term artistic relationship, taking her to stages such as Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
She has received critical acclaim for her portrayals of Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Cecilio (Lucio Silla), Lucinda (Moro per Amore), among others. She has also performed under conductors such as René Jacobs, Philippe Pierlot, Alessandro Moccia, Dirk Vermeulen, Bart Naessens, Andrea de Carlo, Andrea Marcon, and Giovanni Antonini.
Her collaborations include ensembles such as the English Baroque Soloists (UK), B’Rock (BE), Ricercar Consort (BE), Capella Cracoviensis (PL), Arte dei Suonatori (PL), Mare Nostrum (IT), La Cetra (CH), and the Freiburger Barockorchester (DE).
In 2025 she signed a contract with the renowned label Pentatone for her debut album Semele. Previously, she recorded for prestigious labels including Universal, Arcana Outhere Music, and Denovali Records – with the experimental electronic duo Nanook of the North.
She studied voice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, complementing her musical education with cultural studies at the University of Warsaw.
As a member of the REMA (Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne) Remarkable program, she is developing Le Sommeil in a European context, benefiting from international mentoring and networks.
Her fascination with baroque traditions and contemporary interpretations forms the foundation of Le Sommeil’s artistic mission. She has also performed contemporary works written specifically for her voice and presented her own sound installations in European contemporary art galleries.
She is the author of essays and literary texts. Founding Le Sommeil allowed her to realize her vision of exploring the meeting point of myth, dream, and music through Jungian archetypes.
She has received critical acclaim for her portrayals of Dido (Dido and Aeneas), Cecilio (Lucio Silla), Lucinda (Moro per Amore), among others. She has also performed under conductors such as René Jacobs, Philippe Pierlot, Alessandro Moccia, Dirk Vermeulen, Bart Naessens, Andrea de Carlo, Andrea Marcon, and Giovanni Antonini.
Her collaborations include ensembles such as the English Baroque Soloists (UK), B’Rock (BE), Ricercar Consort (BE), Capella Cracoviensis (PL), Arte dei Suonatori (PL), Mare Nostrum (IT), La Cetra (CH), and the Freiburger Barockorchester (DE).
In 2025 she signed a contract with the renowned label Pentatone for her debut album Semele. Previously, she recorded for prestigious labels including Universal, Arcana Outhere Music, and Denovali Records – with the experimental electronic duo Nanook of the North.
She studied voice at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis and at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, complementing her musical education with cultural studies at the University of Warsaw.
As a member of the REMA (Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne) Remarkable program, she is developing Le Sommeil in a European context, benefiting from international mentoring and networks.
Her fascination with baroque traditions and contemporary interpretations forms the foundation of Le Sommeil’s artistic mission. She has also performed contemporary works written specifically for her voice and presented her own sound installations in European contemporary art galleries.
She is the author of essays and literary texts. Founding Le Sommeil allowed her to realize her vision of exploring the meeting point of myth, dream, and music through Jungian archetypes.
The program is ready and already performed in concerts — it was this very project that brought us the winning prize at the 60th Wratislavia Cantans Festival. The recording session is planned for December 2025 in Riehen, Switzerland with sound director Ken Yoshida, and the release is scheduled for 2026 through Pentatone.
Your support goes directly into making the recording possible. It covers the essentials of the session — the sound engineer, hall, and instruments — as well as fair fees for the musicians and travel support for those coming from outside Basel. If we reach higher stages, it also allows us to create a special vinyl edition with an extended booklet and even a documentary film capturing the whole process.
As a thank you for supporting us and making our dream come true, we’ve prepared a selection of Goodies to make you feel like part of our team. They include:
- personal thank-yous and your name listed among our supporters
- exclusive behind-the-scenes insights and the digital album edition
- handmade surprises from the ensemble
- signed CDs or vinyl editions
- invitation to a pre-release listening
- a private concert with Le Sommeil
Be sure to check out the Goodies section!
- personal thank-yous and your name listed among our supporters
- exclusive behind-the-scenes insights and the digital album edition
- handmade surprises from the ensemble
- signed CDs or vinyl editions
- invitation to a pre-release listening
- a private concert with Le Sommeil
Be sure to check out the Goodies section!
This will be the first recording to bring together three Baroque “Semele” operas. It gives rarely heard music a new voice and helps a young ensemble take its first big step. Your support truly makes the recording possible.
Verein Le Sommeil
Bättwil, CH
Le Sommeil is a non-profit association based in Bättwil (SO). We are politically and confessionally independent, and our purpose is to create, organize, and realize artistic projects, especially in the field of baroque music. Through concerts, workshops, and educational initiatives we contribute to cultural diversity and musical education.
Margarita Slepakova
Zalesie Górne, CH
Singer & Curator
I’m Margarita Slepakova, a mezzo-soprano, curator, and graduate of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. As the founder of Le Sommeil – an award-winning Basel-based early music ensemble – I am dedicated to exploring the connections between myth, dream, and archetype through baroque music. With our debut album Semele, to be released with a leading classical music label Pentatone, we want to preserve and share this vision with a wider audience, giving rarely performed works a new life and resonance today.
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