‘Welcome to London, Mr Handel!’
With Clare Devine (soprano) and Michael Sanderson (baritone)

This appealing and wide-ranging programme features music which Handel might have heard when he first arrived in England in 1711, along with music he wrote in his early years here. It includes music by Purcell, with songs such as ‘Music for a while’, and ‘If love’s a sweet passion’, a trio sonata by Corelli, and an overture by Jeremiah Clarke - including the famous ‘trumpet tune’! We include extracts from Handel’s first opera for London, Rinaldo, first performed in 1711, the trio sonata in F for recorder and violin, and the flute suite from the Water Music.

7 performers

Handel in the Strand and other visitors to London

This varied and humorous programme brings alive the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Georgian England, and has strong audience appeal. It features tuneful cantatas and a flute solo by Handel, songs by Pepusch and De Fesch written for the Marylebone Gardens, a harpsichord solo by Dieupart, and a cello sonata by Bononcini. Readings illustrate the transformation of English attitudes to foreigners from suspicion to admiration.

5/6 performers: Baritone singer/violin, Baroque flute, Baroque violin, (Baroque violin/viola), Baroque ‘cello, Harpsichord

‘All the World’s a Stage’
with Peter Luke Kenny, actor

Here is something really different: a programme exploring Shakespeare’s use of music and musical imagery. We include settings of lyrics from the plays, and instrumental pieces, including music by Robert Johnson, Locke, Purcell, Arne and Dibdin. Speeches and dialogue from the plays place the music in its dramatic context – serious, lyrical and comic by turns – to produce a continuous, fast-paced, exciting entertainment!

6 performers: Actor, Baritone singer/violin, Baroque flute/ recorder, Baroque violin, Baroque ‘cello, Harpsichord

More details here

’Reason and Passion’: Music of Purcell's England

This programme vividly evokes Purcell’s London in the 1680s and 1690s. We include a suite for strings by Matthew Locke, exquisite songs by Purcell himself, and solos for recorder and harpsichord, with popular songs and dances of the time. Humorous readings are included too!

5/6 performers: Baritone singer/violin, Baroque violin, Baroque viola, Recorder, Baroque ‘cello, Harpsichord

’Nowell sing we!’: Music from Christmas Past

A very popular programme including baroque concertos, such as ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons or Corelli’s ‘Christmas’ Concerto, mediaeval carols, and original versions of well-known Christmas carols. Promoters may wish to offer mulled wine and mince pies, and to hold the concert by candlelight.

7/8 performers: Baritone singer /violin, Baroque flute/ recorder, Baroque violin, Baroque violin/viola, Baroque ‘cello, Bass, Harpsichord

Scandal in the Cathedral close

Music and readings tell the story of the liaison between the unmarried daughter of a canon of Lichfield Cathedral and a member of the choir. The music includes pieces by Handel, Philip Hayes and Thomas Arne.

7 performers: 2 violins, Baritone/violin, flute/recorder, cello, harpsichord and reader

More details here

In addition, we are developing programmes tailored to specific venues, such as:

‘An 18th-century musical party, featuring music from the library of Kedleston Hall’

This concert presents exciting new research into the musical life of Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire, in the 18th century, and in particular the crucial rôle played by Sir Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Baron Scarsdale (1726-1804), who built the Hall in its present form. We include music from Nathaniel’s own manuscript music book dated 1738/9, when he was only twelve, and music by Handel, John Stanley, Derby organist Charles Denby and Pergolesi (from La Serva Padrona) bought by the family and now in the library. The whole is bound together with readings, and excerpts from the unpublished songbook compiled for Miss Juliana Curzon.

5 performers: violin, flute/recorder, Baritone/violin, cello, harpsichord

More details here

The following programme is also offered:

Ring-a-Ring o'Roses - Dances and songs from olden times. Suitable for children of all ages, from 3 to 103! More details here