Following a very disappointing production of Mozart’s “Die Entführung aus dem Serail” the day before, the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées presented a one-night-only concert version of Handel’s “Ariodante” on June 7, conducted by Andrea Marcon. To begin with, it must be acknowledged that the La Cetra Barockorchester Basel performed Handel’s highly melodious, harmonious, and expressive score very well. A sense {…}
(Photo: Toni Suter) Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” written in the first century A.D., profoundly influenced Baroque art in all its forms: literature, the visual arts, and music. It is an epic-style compilation of over 250 Greek and Roman myths centered on transformation, spanning from the creation of the world to the deification of Julius Caesar, all linked by the overarching theme of {…}
(Photo: Bart Grietens) The production of “The Opera Circus” vividly revives the historical tradition of the Pasticcio, a staple of 18th-century operatic life. By weaving together a curated selection from Handel’s vast sprawling catalog—ranging from the iconic “Alcina” to the lesser-known gems of “Teseo”—the production team mirrors the composer’s own creativity brilliance. This format provides a flexible, 90-minute skeletal framework {…}
Josh Groban sang an arrangement of Händel’s “Zadok the Priest” at the Oscars. The singer performed the work in a parody sketch with the Los Angeles Master Chorale as Conan O’Brien was being coronated the king for Best Achievement in his opening monologue. “Zadok the Priest” is a British anthem that was composed by Händel for the coronation of George {…}
The Bach Society of Saint Louis will present Parts II and III of Händel’s “Messiah” on March 15, 2026. Music Director and Conductor A. Dennis Sparger leads the Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra alongside guest soloists soprano Hannah De Priest, countertenor Jay Carter, tenor Dann Coakwell, and bass Elijah Blaisdell. The performance kicks off at 3 p.m. local time. Next {…}
(Photo: Felix Grünschloß) This year, Karlsruhe curated a true weekend feast for Baroque enthusiasts: staging two Handel operas in a single day! The organizers even meticulously accounted for the expected performance durations of “Tamerlano” by pushing back the evening performance of “Atalanta.” It was not merely a schedule; it was a curated emotional arc that tested the endurance of the {…}
(Photo: Lloyd Winters) Händel’s “Partenope” has always occupied an unusual place in his output: admired by connoisseurs, overshadowed by his more solemn opera seria, and still rarely staged today. Yet this revived 2025 London Coliseum production—delivered with defiant vitality amidst the ENO’s institutional turbulence—makes a persuasive case for the opera’s brilliance. Led by a compelling young cast including Nardus Williams, {…}
The Thirteen will present Händel’s “Messiah” this holiday season. The Choir and Orchestra, under Matthew Robertson, will present the iconic work on Dec. 20, 2025 at 4 p.m. at National City Christian Church in Washington D.C. and on Dec. 21, 2025 at 5 p.m. at Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church. There will be a pre-concert talk with Charles King, author of {…}
Opéra Royal Château de Versailles celebrated their 2025-26 season opening with Händel’s “Theodora” in the Chapelle Royale to a sold out crowd of locals and internationals. The Chapelle Royale was completed in 1710 under the reign of King Louis XIV. It was the last chapel built at Château de Versailles and features Gothic architecture with dramatic illustrated narratives in honor {…}
(Photo: Alan Neilson) The main presentation at this year’s Bayreuth Baroque Festival was a lavish, fully staged production of Francesco Cavalli’s 1666 opera, “Pompeo Magno,” boasting a large cast of high-quality singers and actors. Playing the role of Giulia was the Belgian soprano Sophie Junker, who, since winning both the London Händel Competition in 2010 and Innsbruck’s Cesti Competition in {…}
Pacific Northwest Opera is set to present “Rinaldo” this October. The opera will star Sarah Coit in her company debut as Rinaldo. She is joined by bass-baritone Luke Harnish, also making his company debut. Hallie Schmidt plays Armida. Other cast members include Jordan Seguin-Gascoigne, Jordan KNapick, Rosamund Dyer, and Boyd Schlaefer. Jonathan Khuner will conduct the opera. “If you like {…}