Not to be missed….

The London Handel Festival

First up, the London Handel Festival which kicks off on March 4th with the Semi Finals of the International Handel Singing Competition – and then for proper, on the evening of Friday March 7th in St George’s Hanover Square with L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, the debut performance of Arcangelo, the festival’s new Principal Ensemble in Residence.

This is followed by a positive riot of amazing performances including full blooded Handel operas and choral works, chamber concerts at The Charterhouse and the Handel Hendrix House, celebrity recitals, a tercentenary celebration of St George’s itself, the return of the delightful Bjarte Eike and his Barokksolistene and, of course, the finals of the singing competition. (For the full details see the programme here.)

However, the one I am looking forward to most is the Handel Opera Studio’s Mythical Double Bill: Tales of Apollo and Hercules in the gloriously over the top Shoreditch Town Hall.

The Tales of Apollo and Hercules is, as usual, based on a Greek myth and will no doubt be as incomprehensible as Handel’s ancient Greek creations always are. But, if the last two offerings from the Handel Opera Studios, Aci by the River and In the Realms of Sorrow, are anything to go by, it will be thrilling, gripping, innovative and stunningly performed. (If you want more details on either see this post for the Realms of Sorrow and this post for Aci by the River.)

The Tales of Apollo and Hercules explores the lives of two tragic and divine half-brothers and recounts their quest for love, their battles with choice and anguish, and their acceptance of fate. Director Thomas Guthrie, choreographer Valentino Zucchetti, La Nuova Musica, conductor David Bates and a fine cast of soloists will I am sure ‘create a spellbinding evening of mythical and fantastical storytelling through drama and dance’ – as they promise.

There are four performances on the 27th, 28th and 29th March but tickets are selling fast so do not delay! You can book for the opera and for all, the other performances on the site here.

The OAE’s Night Shifts

Far from the glories of Shoreditch town Hall, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment continue their delightful informal chamber music gigs in pubs around London.

I went to Mozart trios in the Fiddler’s Elbow in Chalk Farm last week – along with a LOT of other people. (Warning, if you want a seat get there at least an hour early and set yourself up with a few drinks as these gigs are very popular and the drinks queues are long…) The OAE trio, Henry Tong and Max Mandel on violin and Andrew Skidmore on cello, treated us to an hour’s worth of delightful Mozart, made more magical by the intimate pub setting – which also enabled a couple of readings from Mozart’s more scurrilous letters!

If you fancy joining them, on March 19th clarinetist Sarah Thurlow and her team will be at the Brixton Blues Kitchen. They will be exploring how even in its early development the clarinet provided composers like Mozart with a huge range of tone colours to exploit. You can book here.

And on 23rd April violinist Julia Kuhn, singer Bethany Horak-Hallet and friends will be at the Old Queen’s Head in Islington. They will be showcasing some of the many composers, both famous and less famous, who lived and worked on these shores: Handel, Hume, Haydn, Pepusch, Roseingrave or Matthew Dubourg! You can book here.

Meanwhile, back in Highgate…..

On March 9th we have our Debussy-Archbold evening with harpist Hugh Webb, violist Bridget Carey and flautist Nancy Ruffer.

£30 to include buffet supper and wine. ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT. Book here.

And…. On Sunday 23rd March the four hands of Viola Lenzi and Isabella Gori will play jazz and folk at the Highgate Society lunchtime concert – book here.

But looking forward to April and beyond….

Tuesday 15th April at Hampstead Lane.

Classical/jazz singer Dani Sicari and guitarist James Girling offer an intimate take on their Easy Rollers jazz septet in a stripped-back duo: Easy Rollers originals, jazz-age classics – and, maybe, a glimpse into their classical practice.

£30 to include supper and wine – for more details and to book go here.

Sunday May 18th – Hampstead Lane

Madeleine Mitchell and her London Chamber Ensemble will be making a very welcome return visit to Hampstead Lane. More details and booking information to come very soon.

And more returnees…..

Sunday May 25 – Highgate Society Lunchtime concert

The return of Australian jazz cellist William Jack – book here.

Week of the 9th June – date to be confirmed – Hampstead Lane

Flanders and Swann return!! By popular demand. More details to come.

Sunday 6th July – Hampstead Lane

The Bassett Horn ladies of the Vauxhall Band return – again by popular demand!
Go here for more details and to book.

And finally….

Sunday 22nd June

The garden at Hampstead Lane, plus our new ‘Growing Garden’ behind the garage, will open for the National Gardens Scheme – complete with musical offerings from some of our regular artists! Tea and cakes on offer from midday till 6.30. More details and booking information to come.

Some time in August……

We will be inviting you all to our summer jazz party….

For future happenings in at Hampstead Lane and elsewhere – see our Upcoming Events page.