Handel – The King Shall Rejoice

For the final post, it’s the wonderful Mr Handel again, and a piece that’s proved its worth for getting me through tough times.
Handel – Dopo Notte

After a bleak night, the sun breaks forth. This aria from Handel’s opera Ariodante is a champagne breakfast to go with a radiant dawn.
Telemann – concerto for flute and recorder

A dose of George’s Marvellous Medicine that I love playing with my friend Fiona because it makes us laugh so much.
Messiahs in Durham

There are Messiahs of all shapes and sizes coming to Durham this Christmas season – here’s my run-down of what’s on offer.
Review: ETO Radamisto

Handel’s Radamisto isn’t one of his greatest operatic hits but is lifted by an imaginative production and great performances by ETO.
Caesar and Cleopatra in all their glory

Handel’s Giulio Cesare is a sumptuous feast of an opera, with one ravishing aria after another. I’m absolutely thrilled that ETO have chosen it for this autumn’s production, coming to Durham for two nights in October, and to introduce you to my favourite Handel opera, I’ve put together a summary and playlist of the best arias.
Not the Messiah…. Israel in Egypt

Royal Northern Sinfonia with Nicholas McGegan and six Samling Artist soloists bring a Handel oratorio to Durham Cathedral in Holy Week. But it’s not Messiah. I’ve been finding out more about the technicolor glories of Handel’s “Israel in Egypt” .
ETO Handel: Ottone

English Touring Opera brought the Byzantine glories of Handel’s “Ottone” to the Gala Theatre. I’m still buzzing.
Guest post: Rob Barnes reviews Durham Singers

A guest review by Rob Barnes of Classical NE1fm of a concert of baroque music given by the Durham Singers and the Durham Singers Ensemble in St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle