2017–18 concerts
oae.co.uk Six Chapters of Enlightenment – Part One
Visions, Illusions and Delusions
2017–18 concerts in brief Six Chapters of Enlightenment – Part One Visions, Illusions and Delusions
The Judas Passion Can the ultimate betrayal ever be forgiven?
‘You see everything through the lens of your own system.’
Monday 25 September 2017 St John’s Smith Square 7pm
What is right and what is wrong? Is seeing believing? Is love what you think it is? Who can I trust? Should we really judge by appearances? Shaken out of old certainties, the philosophers of the era we now called the Enlightenment started with these radical doubts. So it’s where we’re starting Six Chapters of Enlightenment, six special seasons exploring the thought that made the modern world. If you’re new to the Orchestra, you should know that we play on instruments from the period the music was written. Each concert needs hours of research to understand centuries of performance tradition, making old music new. If you’re already a fan, our lovingly-crafted performances will be combined more than ever with special efforts to help you discover what the composers were thinking, and how the times they lived in influenced their music. So join us for an adventure in uncertainty, scepticism and mistrust, through the music of Bach, Mozart, Handel and many more.
Sally Beamish – The Judas Passion David Harsent – libretto Peter Thomson – stage director Nicholas McGegan – conductor Brenden Gunnell – Judas Roderick Williams – Christ Choir of the Age of Enlightenment Handel’s Semele Be careful what you wish for. Wednesday 18 October 2017 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Handel – Semele Ivor Bolton – conductor Louise Alder – Semele James Way – Jupiter Ray Chenez – Athamas Brindley Sherratt – Somnus / Cadmus Mary Bevan – Iris Catherine Wyn-Rogers – Juno Ciara Hendrick – Ino Jeremy Budd – Apollo Robert Davies – High Priest Choir of the Age of Enlightenment Mozart: Master of Deception with Rachel Podger There is more to Mozart than meets the eye. Monday 27 November 2017 St John’s Smith Square 7pm Haydn – Symphony No. 26 Lamentatione Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 1 JC Bach – Symphony in G minor Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 Rachel Podger – director / violin
Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm
Marin Alsop and Nicola Benedetti Nicola Benedetti’s first appearance with us. Sunday 4 February 2018 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Beethoven – Symphony No. 4 Beethoven – Violin Concerto
Mozart: Master of Deception with Sir Roger Norrington More from the ultimate musical game-player. Wednesday 11 April 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm
Marin Alsop – conductor Nicola Benedetti – violin
Mozart – Symphony No. 33 Mozart – Horn Concerto No. 4 Mozart – Horn Concerto No. 1 Mozart – Symphony No. 36
The Corridors of Power What wins – love or duty?
Sir Roger Norrington – conductor Roger Montgomery – horn
Tuesday 27 February 2018 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm
Der Rosenkavalier A night at the cinema.
Mozart – Arias from La clemenza di Tito Mozart – Symphony No. 38 Haydn – Scena di Berenice Haydn – Symphony No. 103 Drumroll Ádám Fischer – conductor Christine Rice – mezzo-soprano Bach’s St Matthew Passion A powerful depiction of the Easter story. Monday 26 March 2018 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Bach – St Matthew Passion Mark Padmore – director / Evangelist Roderick Williams – Christus Claudia Huckle – contralto Hugo Hymas – tenor Katherine Watson – soprano Jessica Cale – soprano Eleanor Minney – mezzo-soprano Matthew Brook – bass Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Thursday 17 May 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier [salon score] Selection of songs by Richard Strauss Tom Kemp – conductor Miah Persson – soprano Dangerous Liaisons The sights and sounds of Versailles. Tuesday 26 June 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Programme including music by Lully, Campra, Charpentier, Clérambault, Destouches, Rameau John Butt – conductor and harpsichord Hubert Hazebroucq – choreographer Anna Dennis – soprano Schiff’s Surprise A game of Haydn seek. Wednesday 4 July 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Haydn – Piano Concerto No. 11 Haydn – Symphony No. 94 Surprise Haydn – Harmoniemesse Sir András Schiff – conductor and piano Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Luise Buchberger – Co-Principal Cello Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm
Visions, Illusions and Delusions
What is right and what is wrong?
The Judas Passion Can the ultimate betrayal ever be forgiven?
Bach’s St Matthew Passion A powerful depiction of the Easter story.
Monday 25 September 2017 St John’s Smith Square 7pm
Monday 26 March 2018 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm
Sally Beamish – The Judas Passion
Bach – St Matthew Passion
David Harsent – libretto Peter Thomson – stage director Nicholas McGegan – conductor Brenden Gunnell – Judas Roderick Williams – Christ Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Mark Padmore – director / Evangelist Roderick Williams – Christus Claudia Huckle – contralto Hugo Hymas – tenor Katherine Watson – soprano Jessica Cale – soprano Eleanor Minney – mezzo-soprano Matthew Brook – bass Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
A co-commission with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale, San Francisco. A provocative new chronicle of Jesus’ final days told through the eyes of his betrayer, Judas Escariot. Written for our period instruments by Sally Beamish, The Judas Passion echoes Bach’s Passions in exploring the Easter story. A sizzling text by poet and screenwriter David Harsent never stops asking challenging questions. Pre-concert event All Words for Forgiveness 6pm Responses to the theme of forgiveness. Part of Southbank Centre’s festival Belief and Beyond Belief. Concert supported by Sir Richard Arnold Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust Boltini Trust Cockayne – Grants for the Arts and The London Community Foundation CLASEN John S Cohen Foundation PRS for Music Foundation RVW Trust Sir Martin and Lady Smith OBE
Mark Easter with Bach’s St Matthew Passion, featuring an all-star line-up of singers, led by Mark Padmore. One of the iconic pieces of classical music, St Matthew Passion retains huge emotional impact even 300 years on from the premiere. Immediate in its power, the piece still yields new riches after years of exploration. Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm Concert supported by Julian and Camilla Mash
Roger Montgomery – Principal Horn Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm
Visions, Illusions and Delusions
Is seeing believing?
Mozart: Master of Deception with Rachel Podger There is more to Mozart than meets the eye. Monday 27 November 2017 St John’s Smith Square 7pm Haydn – Symphony No. 26 Lamentatione Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 1 JC Bach – Symphony in G minor Mozart – Violin Concerto No. 5 Rachel Podger – director / violin Mozart was the ultimate musical genius – and the ultimate game player. He tore up the rulebook, and if you hear his music twice, you never have quite the same experience. Join us for the first of two concerts exploring the hidden secrets of Mozart’s familiar scores, led our longstanding collaborator, violinist Rachel Podger. Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm
Mozart: Master of Deception with Sir Roger Norrington More from the ultimate musical game-player. Wednesday 11 April 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Mozart – Symphony No. 33 Mozart – Horn Concerto No. 4 Mozart – Horn Concerto No. 1 Mozart – Symphony No. 36 Sir Roger Norrington – conductor Roger Montgomery – horn Join us for the second of two concerts exploring the hidden secrets of Mozart’s familiar scores, with its very own two Rogers – Emeritus conductor Sir Roger Norrington and principal horn Roger Montgomery. Mozart’s horn concertos are as playful and enjoyable as any of his music. Hear them as they would have sounded on our period instruments. Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm Concert supported by Bruce Harris Concert supported by
Cecelia Bruggemeyer – Double Bass Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm
Visions, Illusions and Delusions
Is love what you think it is?
Handel’s Semele Be careful what you wish for.
Der Rosenkavalier A night at the cinema.
Wednesday 18 October 2017 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm
Thursday 17 May 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm
Handel – Semele
Richard Strauss – Der Rosenkavalier [salon score] Selection of songs by Richard Strauss
Ivor Bolton – conductor Louise Alder – Semele James Way – Jupiter Ray Chenez – Athamas Brindley Sherratt – Somnus / Cadmus Mary Bevan – Iris Catherine Wyn-Rogers – Juno Ciara Hendrick – Ino Jeremy Budd – Apollo Robert Davies – High Priest Choir of the Age of Enlightenment When Handel premiered Semele in Covent Garden in 1744, he shocked audiences expecting something solemn for Lent with this steamy, sexy story of gods having affairs with mortals. It’s still a sensuous evocation of the illusions and delusions of love. Semele is smitten with Jupiter, but you can’t just buy a house and start a family when you’ve fallen for a god. Performed here in its entirety, enjoy extraordinary arias and probably the best chorus music in any of Handel’s operas. Pre-concert event The Six Varieties of Love with Roman Krznaric 6pm If Semele had a more sophisticated vision of love, could her story end in a different way? Concert supported by Sir Vernon and Lady Ellis Adrian Frost Nigel Jones and Françoise Valat-Jones Haakon and Imogen Overli Ivor Samuels
Tom Kemp – conductor Miah Persson – soprano We go to the cinema for a recreation of a remarkable film event that first took place in 1926. Enjoy the painstakingly-restored big screen adaptation of Richard Strauss’ great comic opera Der Rosenkavalier, accompanied by a live orchestra playing the music Strauss himself wrote to accompany the film. Pre-concert event The Science of Attraction with Professor Viren Swami 6pm Opera characters are always falling in love. But if they were real, what would be going on in their brains?
Lisa Beznosiuk – Principal Flute Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm
Visions, Illusions and Delusions
Who can I trust?
Dangerous Liaisons The sights and sounds of Versailles.
The Corridors of Power What wins – love or duty? Tuesday 27 February 2018 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Mozart – Arias from La clemenza di Tito Mozart – Symphony No. 38 Haydn – Scena di Berenice Haydn – Symphony No. 103 Drumroll
Tuesday 26 June 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Programme including music by Lully, Campra, Charpentier, Clérambault, Destouches, Rameau John Butt – conductor and harpsichord Hubert Hazebroucq – choreographer Anna Dennis – soprano
Ádám Fischer – conductor Christine Rice – mezzo-soprano
Recreating the sights and sounds of Versailles, we blend elegant French dance from the court of Louis XIV with a greatest hits of French music from the era.
Berenice is Queen of Palestine, set to marry the Roman Emperor Titus. But a change of political weather at home makes it impossible for the Emperor to marry a foreign queen. What wins out – love or duty?
Mixing the best of Lully, Rameau, Campra, Charpentier and more, this is a golden jukebox of French baroque, accompanied by authentic choreography as it was seen in the Royal palaces of the 17th century.
Haydn turned this story into Scena di Berenice, a fabulous concert aria [classical music’s equivalent of the short story] told from the Queen’s perspective. As political wheels keep turning, how does she hold her own in increasingly hostile corridors of power?
Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm
Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm We are delighted to dedicate this concert to our supporting Bronze, Silver and Gold Friends and Patrons in recognition of all their support of the Orchestra’s work. Concert supported by JMS Advisory Limited
Concert supported by Julian and Annette Armstrong
Peter Whelan – Co-Principal Bassoon Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm
Visions, Illusions and Delusions
Should we really judge by appearances?
Marin Alsop and Nicola Benedetti Nicola Benedetti’s first appearance with us. Sunday 4 February 2018 Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm Beethoven – Symphony No. 4 Beethoven – Violin Concerto Marin Alsop – conductor Nicola Benedetti – violin
Schiff’s Surprise A game of Haydn seek.
A musician always confounding expectations, violinist Nicola Benedetti performs with us for the first time in this concert.
Wednesday 4 July 2018 Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre 7pm
She’s joined by conductor Marin Alsop for a programme of Beethoven performed with pure unvarnished musicality.
Haydn – Piano Concerto No. 11 Haydn – Symphony No. 94 Surprise Haydn – Harmoniemesse
Enjoy this exploration of the variety of Beethoven’s music with two artists of international distinction.
Sir András Schiff – conductor and piano Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm Concert supported by David and Selina Marks Rosalyn and Philip Wilkinson
Take a whirlwind tour of the music of Austrian master Joseph Haydn in the hands of one of the world’s greatest musicians, Sir András Schiff. This concert rounds off Visions, Illusions and Delusions with a varied programme of Haydn’s music, who as much as any other composer redefined what orchestral music came to be during the Enlightenment period. Pre-concert event Check oae.co.uk for further details 6pm Concert supported by Mark and Rosamund Williams
Supporters The OAE continues to grow and thrive through the generosity of our supporters. We are very grateful to our sponsors and Patrons and hope you will consider joining them. We offer a close involvement in the life of the Orchestra with many opportunities to meet players, attend rehearsals and even accompany us on tour. OAE Thirty Circle The OAE is particularly grateful to the following members of the Thirty Circle who have so generously contributed to the re-financing of the Orchestra through the OAE Trust. Thirty Circle Patrons Bob and Laura Cory Sir Martin Smith and Lady Smith OBE Thirty Circle members Victoria and Edward Bonham Carter Nigel Jones and Françoise Valat Jones Selina and David Marks Julian and Camilla Mash Mark and Rosamund Williams
Our supporters Ann and Peter Law OAE Experience scheme Ann and Peter Law Principal sponsor Jupiter Asset Management Corporate partners Apax Partners ESJG Limited Lubbock Fine Chartered Accountants Mark Allen Group Parabola Land Stephen Levinson at Keystone Law Swan Turton Season Patrons Bob and Laura Cory Bruce Harris John Armitage Charitable Trust Adrian Frost Nigel Jones and Françoise Valat-Jones Selina and David Marks Sir Martin Smith and Lady Smith OBE Philip and Rosalyn Wilkinson Mark and Rosamund Williams Project Patrons Julian and Annette Armstrong JMS Advisory Limited Julian and Camilla Mash Haakon and Imogen Overli Aria Patrons Denys and Vicki Firth Stanley Lowy Gary and Nina Moss Rupert Sebag-Montefiore
Chair Patrons Mrs Nicola Armitage – Education Director Hugh and Michelle Arthur – Violin Felix Appelbe and Lisa Bolgar Smith – Co-principal Cello Victoria and Edward Bonham Carter – Principal Trumpet Anthony and Celia Edwards – Principal Oboe Sir Vernon and Lady Ellis – Co-Principal Viola James Flynn QC – Co-Principal Lute/Theorbo Paul Forman – Co-Principal Cello , Co-Principal Bassoon and Co-Principal Horn Su Li and Stephen Gibbons – Violin The Mark Williams Foundation – Co-Principal Bassoon Jenny and Tim Morrison – Second Violin Andrew Nurnberg – Co-Principal Oboe Professor Richard Portes CBE FBA – Co-Principal Bassoon Olivia Roberts – Violin John and Rosemary Shannon – Principal Horn Roger and Pam Stubbs – Sub-Principal Clarinet Crispin Woodhead and Christine Rice – Principal Timpani Education Patrons John and Sue Edwards – Principal Education Patrons Mrs Nicola Armitage Patricia and Stephen Crew The Nigel Gee Foundation Rory and Louise Landman Professor Richard Portes CBE FBA Associate Patrons Noël and Caroline Annesley David and Marilyn Clark Christopher and Lesley Cooke David Emmerson Ian S Ferguson and Dr Susan Tranter Jonathan Parker Charitable Trust Jonathan and Tessa Gaisman Noel De Keyzer Marc-Olivier and Agnes Laurent Sir Timothy and Lady Lloyd Michael and Harriet Maunsell David Mildon in memory of Lesley Mildon North Street Trust Andrew and Cindy Peck Michael and Giustina Ryan Ivor Samuels and Gerry Wakelin Emily Stubbs and Stephen McCrum Shelley von Strunckel Eric Tomsett Mr J Westwood Tim Wise
Young Ambassador Patrons Pamela Dow William Norris Young Patrons Josh Bell and Adam Pile Marianne and William Cartwright-Hignett Sam Hucklebridge Joseph Cooke and Rowan Roberts Trusts and foundations Apax Foundation Arts Council England Catalyst Fund Arts Council England Small Capital Grants Arts Council England Strategic Touring Fund Boltini Trust Boshier-Hinton Foundation Brian Mitchell Charitable Settlement The Charles Peel Charitable Trust Chapman Charitable Trust Cockayne – London Community Foundation John S Cohen Foundation Derek Hill Foundation D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Dunard Fund Ernest Cook Trust Fenton Arts Trust Garfield Weston Foundation The Golden Bottle Trust Goldsmiths’ Company Charity Idlewild Trust Jack Lane Charitable Trust JMCMRJ Sorrell Foundation J Paul Getty Jnr General Charitable Trust John Lyon’s Charity The Mark Williams Foundation Michael Marks Charitable Trust National Foundation for Youth Music Nicholas Berwin Charitable Trust Orchestras Live Palazzetto Bru-Zane The Patrick Rowland Foundation PF Charitable Trust PRS Foundation Pye Charitable Settlement RK Charitable Trust RVW Trust Schroder Charity Trust The Shears Foundation Valentine Charitable Trust Violet Mauray Charitable Trust We are also very grateful to our anonymous supporters and OAE Friends for their ongoing generosity and enthusiasm.
For more information on supporting the OAE please contact: Emily Stubbs Development Director emily.stubbs@oae.co.uk 020 7239 9381
Book now southbankcentre.co.uk/oae 020 3879 9555, daily 9am–8pm Royal Festival Hall Ticket Office, daily 10am–8pm There are no transaction fees for in-person bookings. For all other bookings transaction fees apply – £2.50 online, £3 over the phone. If you wish to receive tickets by post, a 75p delivery charge applies. Ticket prices £60 for premium seats / £40 / £25 / £10 except Handel’s Semele, Bach’s St Matthew Passion and Marin Alsop and Nicola Benedetti £75 for premium seats / £45 / £25 / £10 and The Judas Passion £40 for premium seats / £25 / £15 / £10 All tickets entitle you to a free programme. Enjoy more Book 2–3 concerts – save 15% Book 4–7 concerts – save 20% Book 8 concerts – save 25% Children and students – £5 tickets for every concert Groups savings – save 20% for groups of ten people or more Discounts not available on premium seats. Under 35? We regularly offer cheap tickets for concerts to people aged 35 and under. Visit oae.co.uk/35below to sign up to make sure you’re the first to know. OAE elsewhere We don’t just perform at Southbank Centre! Visit oae.co.uk for other concerts in London, the rest of the UK and around the world. Follow us oae.co.uk orchestraoftheageofenlightenment theoae oae_photos
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Max Mandel [above] and Simone Jandl [front cover] – Co-Principal Violas Principal sponsor