We have followed Reinoud Van Mechelen and his ensemble in the direction of the French Baroque before, for a visit to the most renowned haute-contre singers. This time round, a nocte temporis is drinking from the exquisite fountain known as George Frideric Handel – giving us our very first chance to hear the ensemble performing repertoire by the German-English music magnate. At the height of the Baroque, Handel penned an impressive portfolio of greatest hits that any fan of classical music will be able to whistle along to for a few bars. Van Mechelen – our artist in residence for another whole season – and audience favourite Gwendoline Blondeel engage in dialogue with two instruments that the composer tended to use sparingly: the natural trumpet and traverso. Julian Zimmerman and Anna Besson take up the gauntlet in an array of heroic overtures, amorous duets and bitingly vengeful arias from gems such as La Resurrezione, Ode for St Cecilia’s Day and the majestic oratorio Judas Maccabaeus.
Program
G.F. Handel: Arias & duets from Jephtha, HWV 70 | Samson, HWV 57 | La Resurrezione, HWV 47 | Judas Maccabaeus, HWV 63 | Ode for St Cecilia’s Day, HWV 76 and other works
Performers
Gwendoline Blondeel, soprano | Anna Besson, traverso | Julian Zimmerman, trumpet | a nocte temporis | Reinoud Van Mechelen, tenor and artistic leader
