The London Handel Festival 2026
Accompanied by the stunning voice of Hilary Cronin and the delightful harpsichord of Stephen Devine the London Handel Festival unveiled its 2026 programme last week – and quite a programme it will be.
Launching their new residency Archangelo will open the festival in Smith Square Hall with a concert performance of Saul, to be followed (operatically) by Titus l’Empereur with Opera Settecento, Acis & Galatea with the Gabrieli Consort and, this year’s Handel Opera Studio production at Shoreditch Town Hall, Tamerlano. Tamerlano is directed by the super exciting Irish director Orpha Phelan who, according to the reviews of the many operas she has staged brings a ‘potent skill’ to her ‘gripping productions’. Hold on to your hats!!
Interspersed with these: the Singing Competition and three chances for amateur singers to give voice, plus a selection of other delights at St George’s, the Charterhouse, the Foundling Museum and the Handel Hendrix House. Finishing on April 3rd with Bach’s St John Passion in St George’s.
For all details go here.
Booking will open on 27th October for Friends, 29th for the general public. And do not delay as the smaller venues get booked out very quickly.
John Taverner – The Protecting Veil at St Sophia’s Orthodox cathedral
Much closer to hand, at the end of this month (28th & 29th October) Britten Sinfonia are offering us two chances to hear Guy Johnston, one of the few cellists to have actually worked with Taverner on the piece, perform John Taverner’s mesmeric The Protecting Veil. And it will happen in the magnificent 19th century Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Bayswater where Taverner himself worshipped. The cathedral is not normally open to non worshippers so this is a double treat.
If you have never heard it, The Protecting Veil is an extraordinary 45 minute solo cello and string orchestra chant celebrating the The Feast of the Protecting Veil of the Mother of God. For Taverner the cello represents The Mother of God ‘and never stops singing throughout. One can think of the strings as a gigantic extension of her unending song. It is an attempt to make a lyrical ikon in sound, rather than in wood, and using the music of the cellist to paint rather than a brush’. See an interesting programme note here.
Performances 7.30pm on 28th & 29th October – book here.
Vexations – Live…
I did not, I fear, sit through all 40 hours of Eric Satie’s Vexations at the St Pancras Clock Tower to raise money for Help Musicians. But, I did drop by on Saturday morning – and to prove that it really was happening, here is Edward Tait getting pretty close to the end of his 80 minute stint.
If you would like to donate to Help Musicians to help fund their excllent work you can do so on this Go Fund Me page.
Don’t forget our Rush Hour concert on Wednesday
Harpist Hugh Webb, violist Bridget Carey and flautist Nancy Ruffler will be playing pieces by new young composers, Declan Molloy and Phoenix Archbold – as part of our Rush Hour concert initiative showcasing the work of new composers.
Go here for more details and to book.
And – coming up on 12th November….. Clarinet Fest
Hannah Shilvock on the bass clarinet and Boyan Ivanon on the clarinet have been performing together for nearly five years ‘blending the rich textures of contemporary classical music with vibrant Latin rhythms and funky lyricism!……’
6.30 for a glass of wine, concert at 7pm followed by a suitably vibrant and funky supper! Go here to book.
And do not forget to look at our Upcoming Events page for other concerts not listed in this post.
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