(Photo credit: Andy Staples)

The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale (PBO) has announced its 2023-24 season.

PBO’s season focuses on the concept of “classical music in an encouraging and explorative environment.” While sticking to its roots, audiences will hear plenty of Baroque works along with other historically informed performances.

The season opens with a reprise performance of “Garden of Good & Evil.” The program features a collection of works by Handel, including works from “Orlando” and “Giulio Cesare,” the west coast premiere of CBE Errollyn Wallen’s “The Forms” and “The Golden Measure” by Tarik O’regan. Countertenor Tim Mead is the soloist. Richard Egarr conducts while Reginald Mobley serves as dramaturg.

Performance Dates: Oct. 18 – 21, 2023

Next up is the US premiere of Wallen’s opera “Dido’s Ghost.” Frederic Wake-Walker will direct with John Butt conducting sopranos Nicole Heaston and Nardus Williams, mezzo-soprano Allison Cook, and bass-baritone Matthew Brook and the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale.”Dido’s Ghost” is a co-commission with Dunedin Consort, Edinburgh International Festival, The Barbican Centre, Buxton International Festival, and Mahogany Opera.

Performance Dates: Nov. 29 – 30, 2023

Following “Dido’s Ghost” is Purcell’s “Dido and Aeneas” featuring the same cast as Dido’s Ghost. The two performances will take place at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm.

Performance Dates: Dec. 2, 2023 

Selections from Salamone Rossi’s “Hashirim Asher Li-Shlomo” will be shared by Francesco Spagnolo, Jews & Music Scholar in Residence, Richard Egarr at the harpsichord, the Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players, and Philharmonia Chorale Octet. Valérie Sainte-Agathe directs.

Performance Dates: Dec. 4, 2023 

The Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players and Philharmonia Chorale will present “Six Centuries of Christmas.” Audiences will hear popular Baroque Christmas hymns by Sweelinck, Vivaldi, Johann, and Theodore Pachelbel, as well as works by composers like Stravinksy, Tchaikovsky, and John Tavener.

Performance Dates: Dec. 7-9, 2023 

Starting off the new year is “Double Espresso.” This program is a collection of works by Telemann and Bach. Richard Egarr and Alexandra Nepomnyashchaya will play the harpsichord alongside the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra. Richard Egarr will conduct.

Performance Dates: Feb. 1-3, 2024

“Coffee & Cake,” a morning-time concert series, will feature Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos No. 3, 4, and 5. Egarr will be heard on the Richard Egarr harpsichord and will conduct the
Philharmonia Baroque Chamber Players.

Performance Dates: March 6 -8, 2024

Soprano Rowan Pierce, mezzo-soprano Hongni Wu, tenor Joshua Blue, and bass-baritone Ashley Riches are soloists in Schumann’s “Requiem” Op. 128 in “Romantic Radiance.” Richard Egarr conducts.

Performance Dates: April 11- 14, 2024