2012 Festival Newsletter

Friday 18 May, 7.30pm
St. John's, Smith Square
EUROPEAN UNION
Lully: Le Bourgeois gentilhomme - suite
Biber: Battalia
Cabanilles: Suite Imperial
Corelli: Concerto grosso, Op.6, No.4
Handel: Concerto grosso, Op.6, No.1
Avison/Scarlatti: Concerto No.9
Boccherini: La musica notturna di Madrid

Le Concert des Nations
Jordi Savall director

One of the great world stars of early music brings his own orchestra, a hand-picked line-up of leading players from many nations, for a concert which itself reflects the marvellous diversity and cross-fertilisations of European Baroque music. From Lully's dance music for Molière's Le Bourgeois gentilhomme to Biber's riotously inventive Battalia to concertos and suites from Italy, Britain and Spain, it promises a colourful start to our celebration of international harmony.

Saturday 19 May, 7.00pm
St. John's, Smith Square
VIVALDI: L'OLIMPIADE  concert performance

Clistene: Stephen Gadd
Aristea: Rachael Lloyd
Argene: Sally Bruce-Payne
Megacle: Anne Marie Gibbons
Licida: Marie Elliot
Aminta: Mhairi Lawson
Alcandro: Jonathan Gunthorpe
La Serenissima
Adrian Chandler  director

Could we consider going through a festival of Baroque music in London this year without presenting Vivaldi's dazzling setting of one of the most frequently used opera libretti of the 18th century, a love tangle set against the background of the ancient Olympic games? Of course not, and who better to entrust with this performance than Adrian Chandler's award-winning ensemble, soaked as they are in the vivid and vibrant music of the Red Priest?         

Sunday 20 May, 4.30pm
St. John's, Smith Square
TASTES OF EUROPE - TRIOS AND QUARTETS BY TELEMANN

Ensemble Meridiana

Made up of instrumentalists from five different countries, Ensemble Meridiana have won first prizes at a number of major early-music competitions since their formation only five years ago. For us they journey into the eclectic musical mind of Georg Philipp Telemann, one of the 18th century's most naturally elegant composers, whose delight was to take the national styles of Italy, France, Germany and Poland and mix them into a distinctively new and refined manner of his own.

Thursday 24 May, 7.30pm
Westminster Abbey
FROM HARMONY, FROM HEAVENLY HARMONY
Bach: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied
Handel: Silete venti
Handel: Ode for St Cecilia's Day

Sophie Daneman soprano
Thomas Hobbs tenor
Choir of Westminster Abbey
St. James's Baroque
James O'Donnell conductor

The annual visit to Westminster Abbey, scene of so many great national events, sees the building's famous choir join St. James's Baroque in one of Bach's most joyous choral motets and in a richly varied and colourful St Cecilia's Day ode for choir, soloists and orchestra that harnesses the talents of two giants of English literature and music: Dryden and Handel.   In between, Sophie Daneman sings Handel's delectable solo motet, Silete venti.

Saturday 26 May, 4.30pm
St. John's, Smith Square
BACH v. THE WORLD

Kimberly Marshall organ

The Klais organ at St. John's, Smith Square, has only occasionally been heard at the Lufthansa Festival, so here is a chance to hear it put through its paces by a distinguished American visitor, Kimberly Marshall. Her programme reflects the rivalries and friendships of the Baroque organ world in works by JS Bach and Louis Marchand (the two were once lined up to play in competition until Marchand took flight) and by two 17th-century companions, Froberger and Weckmann.

Booking opens 1 February 2012

Full details of the Festival programme will be available on-line and in print in January. In the meantime you can look forward to regular newsletter updates.

www.lufthansafestival.org.uk

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting a recording of Ensemble Caprice's 2011 Festival performance 'Telemann and the Gypsies' on Sunday 30 October at 1pm.

Brighton Early Music Festival - opens today!
"intriguingly unconventional"  The Telegraph
21 October - 6 November 2011
Dance: 800 years; 24 events: The Sixteen (pictured), Joglaresa, The Carnival Band, Eclipse, the music of  Hildegard von Bingen, Alison Bury with the BREMF Players in Bach's 3rd Orchestral Suite & Wedding Cantata with Julia Doyle, Purcell's The Fairy Queen (soloists include Elin Manahan Thomas, Anna Devin and Nicholas Mulroy)
Free performances in the all-night cultural festival White Night
Click for more information 

The Bach Players
Pachelbel and Bach, Canons and Cantatas
J S Bach - Cantata 'Was Gott tut das ist wohlgetan' BWV100, and other works
19 November, 8.15pm
St. John's, Downshire Hill, London NW3 1NU

Rachel Elliott soprano
Sally Bruce-Payne alto
Nicholas Mulroy tenor
Matthew Brook bass

The Bach Players (leader, Nicolette Moonen)

Box Office: 020 7272 765
Click for more information

Mr Handel's Charitable Works

22 November, 7.30pm
St. John's, Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA

A concert in aid of the Foundling Museum. In 1749, Handel generously offered to give a fundraising concert to help complete the Foundling Hospital in London. This historic occasion has inspired 'Mr Handel's Charitable Works', which will take place on St Cecilia's day. Hilary Davan Wetton conducts the City of London Choir, acclaimed period ensemble Music for Awhile, and internationally renowned counter-tenor Michael Chance.

All tickets bought will support the Foundling Museum.

Tickets: £15, £20, £35 (£35 tickets include an interval drink and programme).
To book call 020 7841 3608 or email development@foundlingmuseum.org.uk

ENO presents Rameau's Baroque classic Castor & Pollux

ENO's first-ever Rameau opera unites the exceptional talents of conductor Christian Curnyn, an acclaimed early music specialist, international opera director Barrie Kosky and singers Roderick Williams, Allan Clayton and Sophie Bevan. Brimming with poignant arias and powerful choruses, this new production is a rare operatic treat for lovers of Baroque music.

24 Oct - 4 Nov
Tickets from only £19
Click for more information