2017/18 Season
‘A performance so stunning it was liable to make even the most jaded of early-music skeptics take note.’ – New York Classical Review
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Welcome Looking back on 10 years with The English Concert, it is fascinating to see how much has changed and how much has stayed the same in the intervening period. The orchestra still plays to a higher and higher level, as exemplified in the Medici broadcast of Ariodante with Joyce DiDonato from Carnegie Hall last season, though there are of course many new faces. In fact over 50% of the orchestra have been appointed since the beginning of my time as Artistic Director, and we continue to fill positions with the best young players from around the world. Our theatrical collaborations continue with Tom Morris and the Bristol Old Vic (Messiah, available on Apple music), as well as in our semi-staged, though no less theatrical, performances of Handel operas and oratorios commissioned by Carnegie Hall, in what has become a sold-out annual event in New York City. This year it is the turn of Rinaldo, with Iestyn Davies taking time off from his Broadway run of Farinelli and the King to play the errant knight. As in all our US activities, we are hugely grateful to our American Friends (TECA) for the extraordinary fundraising and audience building they do on our behalf. Our series of operas at the Buxton Festival continue this year with Mozart’s Lucio Silla, conducted by Laurence Cummings, performed in Frank Matcham’s gem of an opera house in the Peak District. The history of The English Concert has always to some extent reflected the backgrounds of its Artistic Directors; Trevor Pinnock’s origins as a harpsichordist, Andrew Manze’s as a violinist and mine as an opera conductor. The one area that has not been deeply explored by us has been that of chamber music and Classical keyboard repertoire, and so it is with enormous pleasure that I welcome Kristian Bezuidenhout as our new Principal Guest Director. He is well known to all our players, and I know they are as thrilled as I am that they will have a regular collaboration with one of the greatest fortepianists, harpsichordists and directors of his generation. One of the attractions of the orchestra for Kristian is that, as well as being an extraordinary chamber orchestra, all our players are superb soloists in their own right, and this season offers the chance to hear them not only in chamber concerts at the Wigmore Hall, King’s Place and Buxton Festival, but also in concerti throughout the year. Our next recording will be of virtuoso concerti highlighting these wonderful players, a fitting tribute to the musicians who in every concert set the standard for baroque orchestras around the world.
Harry Bicket Artistic Director 2
About the orchestra We love music of the baroque and classical periods, and we believe that through our performances on original instruments, with styles of playing and singing appropriate to a composer or period, we can get to the essential core of the music. With our international group of close-knit musicians, many of whom are soloists in their own right, anything is possible. ‘Each instrumentalist played as though personally responsible for the entire show, wringing out every ounce of drama: at one point during Act II, the cellos unleashed such a torrent of fury that they threatened to upstage the cast.’ – Financial Times Just because we have an enviable reputation, established since our foundation in 1973 with Trevor Pinnock, does not mean we rest on our laurels. Indeed, whether led by our Artistic Director Harry Bicket, or guests such as our newly appointed Principal Guest Director and fortepianist Kristian Bezuidenhout, we always strive for excellence. ‘Harry Bicket and his English Concert chamber orchestra, held Carnegie Hall’s audience in thrall for nearly nine minutes as she [Joyce DiDonato] wrung every bit of emotion from this music.’ – New York Times
But it is not just about our award-winning discography, or who we’ve worked with, it is about reaching the audience and making music together. This is why we are always on the look-out for exciting new opportunities and new ways to tell a story, whether we are working with the likes of Tom Morris to stage Handel’s Messiah, bringing its emotional and dramatic essence to the fore, or interacting in a more intimate way in Shakespeare’s Globe or the Wanamaker Playhouse. ‘Through it all, Bicket and The English Concert were nothing short of brilliant. Sporting perfectly tight ensemble, spacious and ringing tone, a variety of colors, gleaming strings and clean, forceful brass, they are the model of a period chamber orchestra in every sense.’ – New York Classical Review Central to our activities is our flourishing commission from Carnegie Hall to present one Handel opera-in-concert each year. Starting with Radamisto in 2013, subsequent performances of Theodora, Alcina, Hercules, Orlando, and most recently Ariodante, have seen the orchestra in major concert halls across Europe and the US, alongside Joyce DiDonato, David Daniels and Sarah Connolly. This season, Iestyn Davies appears in the title role of Rinaldo. ‘Bicket’s band is in its element in this repertoire.’ – Sunday Times
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Buxton International Festival Mozart Lucio Silla Buxton Opera House, Buxton / Sunday 9 / Thursday 13 / Sunday 16* / Thursday 20 July 2017
The English Concert
Laurence Cummings director Joshua Ellicott Lucio Silla Fflur Wyn Celia Rebecca Bottone Giunia Madeleine Pierard Cecilio Karolina Plicková Lucio Cinna Ben Thapa Aufidio
*matinee
Over past seasons we have established ourselves in the idyllic Derbyshire spa town of Buxton with performances of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Handel’s Tamerlano. This season we turn to Mozart’s early classical opera Lucio Silla and a complementary chamber programme of Mozart and his contemporaries.
Principals of The English Concert St John’s Church, Buxton / Tuesday 11 July 2017
The English Concert
Nadja Zwiener violin Lisa Beznosiuk flute Alfonso Leal del Ojo viola Joseph Crouch cello
Haydn / Trio for flute, violin and cello Op.11, No.5 Schubert / String Trio in Bb D471
Mozart / Flute Quartet in C, K285b
JC Bach / Flute Quartet in C, WB58
Mozart / Adagio and Fugue K404 (after Bach) Mozart / Flute Quartet in D, K285
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Crazy Composers: Magical Manic Mozart Buxton Sponsors:
BINGHAM TRUST
It is always exciting for us to perform opera in a festival like Buxton, but it is even more special when we get to share that excitement with children who might never have seen an instrument, let alone performed with professionals on stage. Do you remember the first time you stepped into the world of opera? Walking through the doors into a glamourous opera house with a wondrous set, an orchestra and director conjuring magic from the pit beneath, and captivating singers on stage; the impact is always thrilling. As part of our residency at the Buxton Festival this year, our flagship education project, Crazy Composers, is back, reaching an ever-wider audience of children in Buxton and the neighbouring areas of Stockport and Walsall. Led by Robert Howes and the Bafta award winning Children’s Company, the children don their investigative hats and set out on an exploration of the one of the world’s greatest composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Booking Information: Buxton Festival 01298 72190 buxtonfestival.co.uk 5
Kristian Bezuidenhout Wigmore Hall, London / Thursday 14 September 2017 St. Mary’s Church, Rye / Saturday 16 September 2017
The English Concert Kristian Bezuidenhout director/fortepiano
Haydn / Symphony No.39 in G minor, Hob. I:39 Mozart / Piano Concerto in C major, K415
CPE Bach / Sinfonia in B minor, Wq. 182/5
Mozart / Symphony No.33 in B-flat major, K319
‘Steered along by Bezuidenhout’s darting looks and the firm knowledge that The English Concert players would never knock themselves off course. All in all, I left the concert walking on cloud nine.’ – The Times King’s Place, London / Monday 14 May 2018
The English Concert Kristian Bezuidenhout director/harpsichord
Handel / Trio Sonata in G Op. 5, No. 4, HWV 399 Telemann / Sonata a 6 in G minor, TWV 44:33
Telemann / Suite in E minor (from Tafelmusik Suite No. 1 TWV 55:E1 and Paris Quartet TWV 43:E4) Bach / Contrapunctus 14 from The Art of Fugue BWV 1080 Bach / Harpsichord Concerto in D minor BWV 1052 Telemann / ‘Wassermusik’ Suite in C TWV 55:C3 (‘Hamburger Ebb und Fluth’)
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In Profile / Kristian Bezuidenhout ‘My first experience with The English Concert brings back the very fondest of memories. I remember being rather apprehensive at the time – this was my first play-direct project – but those fears were assuaged the minute we began making music together, the atmosphere immediately charged with positive energy. I’ve had the great pleasure of working with these superb musicians many times, and I am always struck not just by the extreme classiness of the playing, but more importantly, by the focus, joy, and unbridled energy which these cherished colleagues bring to any repertoire they play. The prospect of working in closer collaboration with The English Concert as their Principal Guest Director fills me with great excitement: what an enormous honour it will be to explore this extraordinary repertoire together.’ – Kristian Bezuidenhout
Booking Information: Wigmore Hall 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk Rye Arts Festival 01797 224442 ryeartsfestival.co.uk King’s Place 020 7520 1490 kingsplace.co.uk 7
Lucy Crowe sings Mozart Milton Court, London / Wednesday 25 October 2017 The Brewhouse, Taunton / Thursday 26 October 2017
The English Concert Harry Bicket director/ harpsichord/organ Lucy Crowe soprano Nadja Zwiener violin
The virtuosity of this all-Mozart programme makes the perfect dramatic pairing with Lucy Crowe and our inspirational leader Nadja Zwiener. Mozart / Divertimento in D K136 Mozart / Al Destin (Mitridate) Mozart / Ruhe sanft (Zaide)
Booking Information: Milton Court 020 7638 8891 barbican.org.uk The Brewhouse 01823 283 244 thebrewhouse.net
Mozart / Ah, se il crudel (Lucio Silla) Mozart / Et incarnatus est
Mozart / Violin Concerto in A K219 Mozart / Exsultate Jubilate
Welcome to all the pleasures Wigmore Hall, London / Wednesday 29 November 2017
The English Concert
Robert Quinney director/ harpsichord/organ The Choir of New College Oxford
We continue our new partnership with organist Robert Quinney and The Choir of New College Oxford, celebrating not only the recent festivities of St Cecilia’s day with Purcell’s wonderful Welcome to all the pleasures, but the imminent start of Advent with Bach’s cantata Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ. Blow / Chaconne
Blow / O sing unto the Lord
Purcell / Chacony in G minor Z. 730 Booking Information: Wigmore Hall 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk 8
Purcell / Welcome to all the pleasures Z. 339
Handel / Organ Concerto in F Op. 4, No. 4 HWV 292 Bach / Komm, Jesu, komm BWV 229
Bach / Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ BWV 116
Biber Rosary Sonatas King’s Place, London / Wednesday 6 December 2017
The English Concert
Nadja Zwiener violin Tuomo Suni violin Emilia Benjamin viola da gamba Tom Foster harpsichord/organ
Otherwise known as the ‘Mystery’ sonatas because of the enigmatic woodcarvings that adorn the manuscripts, Biber’s Rosary Sonatas are the perfect showcase for our principal violinists. Corelli / Trio sonata in F Op. 3, No. 1 Matteis / Prelude for solo violin in A
Biber / ‘The Annunciation’, Sonata No. 1 in D minor from Rosary Sonatas Booking Information: King’s Place 020 7520 1490 kingsplace.co.uk
Purcell / Trio sonata No. 3 in D minor Z. 792
Biber / Partita VI in D major from Harmonia Artificiosa Simpson / Division for viola da gamba in E minor Purcell / Sonata No. 3 in D minor Z. 792
Biber / ‘The Nativity’, Sonata No. 3 in B minor from Rosary Sonatas Rosenmüller / Sonata No. 2 in E minor Corelli / Trio Sonata in A Op. 3, No. 12
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Buxtehude Bach’s hero Wigmore Hall, London / Thursday 8 February 2018
The English Concert
Harry Bicket director/organ Dorothee Mields soprano Nadja Zwiener violin Jonathan Manson viola da gamba
While Bach made his famous 500-mile journey across Germany to hear his hero play the organ, Buxtehude was similarly revered by Handel and Pachelbel. In one of our more intimate configurations, we pay our own tribute to the great and influential master. Featuring cantatas and chamber music including:
Buxtehude / Also hat Gott die Welt geliebet BuxWV 5 Booking Information: Wigmore Hall 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk
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Buxtehude / Sonata C major BuxWV 266
Buxtehude / Herr, auf Dich traue ich BuxWV 35 Buxtehude / Trio sonata in D major BuxWV 267 Buxtehude / O frĂśhliche Stunden BuxWV 84
Bath Bach Festival Bath Abbey, Bath / Saturday 24 February 2018
The English Concert
The Erebus Ensemble Harry Bicket director/ harpsichord/organ Lucy Crowe soprano Nicholas Pritchard tenor Ashley Riches bass-baritone
‘The greatest musical work of art of all times and nations’ (Hans Nägeli), heralds our return to the ancient Roman spa town of Bath following our performance at last season’s Mozart festival. It is astounding to think that such a work can have gone unheard in its complete form for 100 years after Bach’s death. Bach / B Minor Mass BWV 232
Booking Information: Bath Bach Festival 01225 463362 bathbachfest.co.uk
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Handel Rinaldo USA & European Tour / March 2018
Teatro de la Maestranza, Sevilla / Saturday 10 March 2018 Auditorio Nacional de Musica, Madrid / Sunday 11 March 2018 Barbican, London / Tuesday 13 March 2018 Carnegie Hall, New York / Sunday 25 March 2018
The English Concert
Harry Bicket director/ harpsichord Iestyn Davies Rinaldo Xavier Sabata Rinaldo (*Sevilla only) Jane Archibald Armida Sasha Cooke Goffredo Joélle Harvey Almirena Jakub Jozef Orlinski Eustazio Luca Pisaroni Argante
‘Like a globe-travelling relative who returns bearing marvellous gifts, The English Concert continues to appear at Carnegie Hall bearing one gorgeous Handel opera after another...’ (New York Classical Review). This season is no different. Reunited with countertenor Iestyn Davies in the title role, we return with a tale of knights, magic and a kidnapped heroine in Handel’s first opera for the London stage, Rinaldo.
In Profile / Iestyn Davies ‘Ever since being strapped in a harness atop a bicycle and told to pedal through the air whilst singing Venti turbini at Glyndebourne a few years ago, I’ve looked forward more and more to concert performances of this wonderful opera! It’s an evening of pure Handelian flare. The young composer uses everything in his compositional arsenal to charm and delight; it is no coincidence this was his big arrival piece in London in 1711. The highlight for me is the chance to sing Cara Sposa, an aria that even Handel himself claimed was the greatest he ever wrote. I can’t wait to work on this piece again with Harry Bicket and The English Concert. It marks the opening of Handel’s operatic innings in England and set the standard for the following half a century.’ – Iestyn Davies 12
‘If there is a more supportive Handelian conductor than Bicket, he or she is in hiding. The English Concert played with the vivacity and discipline of a continental ensemble.’ – The Times
‘To hear The English Concert playing Handel is to arrive in technicolour Oz after a lifetime of black and white baroque in Kansas.’ – The Arts Desk
Booking Information: Barbican 020 7638 8891 barbican.org.uk 13
Handel Messiah Bridgewater Hall, Manchester / Thursday 29 March 2018
The English Concert
The Erebus Ensemble Tom Morris director Susanna Hurrell soprano Catherine Wyn-Rogers alto Robert Murray tenor Marcus Farnsworth bass
Booking Information: Bridgewater Hall 0161 907 9000 bridgewater-hall.co.uk
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‘Refreshingly direct and impactful, with The English Concert, nestled either side of the stage, and its director Harry Bicket lending classy baroque accompaniment. Morris cleverly uses the 18th‐ century auditorium’s intimacy and dry acoustic to draw us in; I felt an active part of the events unfolding in front, above and around me. Perhaps the cheers and whoops at the end suggested others felt that way too.’ – The Times (Bristol Old Vic, 2017)
A European Grand Tour Wigmore Hall, London / Thursday 19 April 2018
The English Concert Harry Bicket director/ harpsichord Nadja Zwiener violin
Taking a ‘gap year’ might be in vogue for today’s younger generations, but for the young nobles and aristocrats of the 17th and 18th centuries, setting off to experience the sights and sounds of continental music, art and culture, was an important part of their upbringing. On these Grand European Tours, the great musical centres of London, Versailles, Dresden and Venice were the first stops of their journey. London: Arne Overture to The Judgement of Paris
Booking Information: Wigmore Hall 020 7935 2141 wigmore-hall.org.uk
Versailles: Rameau Suite from Les fêtes de l’Hymen et de l’Amour
Venice: Tartini Violin Concerto in B minor, D. 125 (“Lascia ch’io dica addio”) Dresden: Zelenka Simphonie a 8 ZWV 189
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Andreas Scholl South Korean Tour / June 2018
Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden / Friday 25 May 2018 Seoul / Friday 15 June 2018 Seoul / Saturday 16 June 2018 Daejeon / Sunday 17 June 2018
The English Concert Andreas Scholl countertenor
Quick on the heels of our Shakespeare celebration in East Asia last season, we return with a summer tour of South Korea with the one of the world’s greatest countertenors Andreas Scholl, featuring celebratory music from two of England’s finest exports, Purcell and Handel. Purcell / Sound the trumpet from Birthday Ode for Queen Mary Purcell / Airs and Dances from King Arthur
Booking Information: Saffron Hall 0845 548 7650 saffronhall.com
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Avison / Concerto Grosso No. 9 in C (after Domenico Scarlatti) Purcell / Trumpet Sonata
Handel / Eternal source of light divine from Birthday Ode for Queen Anne
Booking Information Barbican Centre & Milton Court
Wigmore Hall
How to Book
How to Book
In Person At the Ticket Information Desk Mon – Sat: 10am – 9pm Sun and bank holidays: 12 noon – 9pm
In Person 7 days a week: 10am – 8.30pm Days without an evening concert: 10am – 5pm
By Telephone / 020 7638 8891 Mon – Sat: 10am – 8pm Sun: 11am – 8pm Text phone for hard of hearing visitors 07710 854 085 Booking fee per transaction: £4.00 Booking fee includes the return of your tickets by first class post if time permits.
No advance booking in the half hour prior to a concert.
By Telephone / 020 7935 2141 7 days a week: 10am –- 7pm Days without an evening concert 10am – 5pm There is a non-refundable £3.00 administration fee for all telephone bookings, which includes the return of your tickets by post if time permits.
Online / wigmore-hall.org.uk. Online / barbican.org.uk Secure online ticketing open 24 hours a day. 7 days a week; 24 hours a day. Reduced booking fee per transaction: £3.00
There is a non-refundable £2.00 administration fee for online bookings, which includes the return of your tickets by post if time permits.
King’s Place How to Book In Person Mon, Wed – Sat: 12 noon – 8pm Tue: 12 noon – 5pm Sun: 12 noon – 7pm Booking fee per transaction: £2.00
By Telephone / 020 7520 1490 Booking fee per transaction: £2.00
Online / kingsplace.co.uk
Online booking closes 90 mins prior to the performance.
*Concert features English Concert principal musicians
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Contacts & Supporters The English Concert is deeply grateful for the continued support of Sponsors, Charitable Trusts, Patrons and Friends on both sides of the Atlantic. Somerset House (West Wing) Strand, London, WC2R 1LA T: 020 7759 1103 ec@englishconcert.co.uk www.englishconcert.co.uk Registered charity: 271765 Founder Trevor Pinnock CBE Artistic Director Harry Bicket Principal Guest Director Kristian Bezuidenhout Chief Executive Gijs Elsen Orchestra Manager Sarah Fenn Production Coordinator Nick Hardisty Accountant Gill Rees Press Nicky Thomas Media Design Feast Creative Brochure photography Stephanie Berger, Marco Borggreve, Richard Haughton, James McMillan, Jack Offord, Jon Rowley, Robert Workman Board of Trustees Mr G. Burnett chairman Mr R. Binks Mr N. Carrington Mr A. Gemes Dr R. J. A. Golding Mr A. Harley Mr S. Jennings Mrs N. Oppenheimer Mr C. Price Mr J. Reeve Ms K. Shimoda Mr J. Smouha QC Mr H. J. Tilney Mr S. Weil Sponsors & Charitable Trusts Arts Council England Arimathea Charitable Trust Bingham Trust Bircham Dyson Bell Charitable Trust Dunard Fund The John Ellerman Foundation Ernest Cook Trust Sir John Fisher Foundation The Foyle Foundation Garfield Weston Foundation The Garrick Foundation Golsoncott Foundation Kathleen Hannay Memorial Charity Meacenas Reed Foundation Core40 George & Daphne Burnett Nigel & Elizabeth Carrington Alan Gemes Dr Richard Golding Chris Loynes His Hon Judge Michael Oppenheimer &
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Mrs Nicky Oppenheimer John & Sally Reeve Joe & Lucy Smouha Hugh & Helene Tilney Simon & Glenda Weil Platinum Patrons Caroline Erskine Simon & Frances Jennings Hamish Parker Patricia Parnell Mr & Mrs C. Weston Gold Patrons Richard Baker Robin & Justina Binks Graeme & Letitia Lythe David Rendell & Ali Smith Dan Waters & Penny Pilzer Claire Wrathall Silver Patrons Prof. Ross Anderson & Dr Vivienne Monk David Dell CB Mandy & Ian Farnsworth Peter & Glen Firth Peter Goodwin Alan & Seema Harley Greta Hemus Mark & Sophie Lewisohn Mr & Mrs Timothy Llewellyn Kimiko Shimoda Richard Teed Bronze Patrons Nicola Armitage Eric & Tilly Beinhocker Robert & Simone Benaim Miss Diana Darlington Michael Godbee Prof. S. Hilton Javan Herberg QC Peter & Carol Honey Andrew Jackson Oscar & Margaret Lewisohn Anita de Lotbiniere Brian Mace Yuuichiro Nakajima & Wendela Elsen Jane Ridley Laura & Daniel Sandelson David Michael Steen Tony & Jackie Yates-Watson Friends Mr John Abbott Di Allison Miss Rosemary Andrew Christopher & Primrose Arnander Geoffrey Barnett Cynthia Butterworth Richard Calver Peter Collett
Mr & Mrs Michael Cooper Jane Craxton Mr Anthony Diamond Douglas Doig Christina & Hugh Dumas Martin Eaton Evelyn & Rose Ebsworth Dr Julia P. Ellis David Elyan Angela Fane Ian Fleming Mrs Clare Francis Felicity Good Peter & Tazim Hall Brian & Sue Hargreaves Eve Wakelin Harris Jonathan Hayward Peter Hildebrand Richard & Jay Hitchman Camilla Hobbs Ms Clare Howell Eleanor Jack John Lackington Alan Liebowitz & Barbara Weiss Uri Liebrecht Prof. A. R. Lord Mr Andrew Maugham Alastair McKerlie Nick Morrison Audrey de Nazelle Jeanne de Nazelle Linda de Nazelle Jonathan Neil-Smith Elizabeth Newlands John Osborn The Reverend Graham Palmer Henry & Julia Pearson Sue Prickett & John Bryer Mr & Mrs Rickett Mr Cecil Rowe Alan Sainer Brian Self Lawrence Shaw Mrs Priscilla Shaw Ms Shirley Spencely Michael Steen Miss Marilyn Stock V. Stoppenbach Frances Tait Dr & Mrs R. Waldes Alan Ward Mary Van de Water Janet & Gerald Watson Lord & Lady Weir John Weiss CB Tim Weston Richard Wildash Dr Christina Williams Mr & Mrs G. C. Williams Marie Winckler
Calendar Sun 9 July – Thu 20 July 2017 Mozart / Lucio Silla Buxton Opera House, Buxton Page 4 Tue 11 July 2017 Buxton International Festival St John’s Church, Buxton Page 4 Thu 14 Sept & Sat 16 Sept 2017
Sat 24 February 2018 Bath Bach Festival Bath Abbey, Bath Page 11 Sat 10 Mar – Sun 25 Mar 2018 Handel / Rinaldo USA & European tour Page 12 Thu 29 Mar 2018
Kristian Bezuidenhout Handel / Messiah Wigmore Hall, London & Rye Arts Festival Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Page 6 Page 14 Wed 25 & Thu 26 Oct 2017 Lucy Crowe sings Mozart Milton Court, London & The Brewhouse, Taunton Page 8 Wed 29 Nov 2017 Welcome to all the pleasures Wigmore Hall, London Page 8 Wed 6 Dec 2017 Biber / Rosary Sonatas Kings Place, London Page 9
Thu 19 April 2018 A European Grand Tour Wigmore Hall, London Page 15 Mon 14 May 2018 Kristian Bezuidenhout King’s Place, London Page 7 Fri 25 May – Sun 17 Jun 2018 Andreas Scholl Saffron Hall, Saffron Walden & South Korean Tour Page 16
Thu 8 Feb 2018 Buxtehude / Bach’s hero Wigmore Hall, London Page 10 19
Somerset House (West Wing), Strand, London, WC2R 1LA T: 020 7759 1103 / ec@englishconcert.co.uk / www.englishconcert.co.uk