The London Handel Festival 2018 has now opened and is in full swing, with a great variety of concerts and events throughout March and April. Taking 'Handel in London' as its theme, this year's festival will explore not only the composer's broad and varied musical output but also his wider entrepreneurial and philanthropic life in Georgian society.
Laurence Cummings brings his renowned Handelian artistry to his 19th festival as Music Director, directing from the harpsichord at events including the annual Handel Singing Competition, Mr Handel's Scholars, 'Giulia Frasi' with Ruby Hughes and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the hugely popular annual performance of J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion.
Laurence Cummings's stylish conducting leaves us in no doubt as to the quality of the score, which contains some of Handel's most striking music. It all makes for cool, clever and deeply unnerving entertainment - Tim Ashley, The Guardian
Laurence Cummings's London Handel Orchestra sounds sprightly and stylish - Richard Morrison, The Times
(reviews for Faramondo, London Handel Festival 2017)
This year Laurence is joined for the opera and oratorio performances by tenor Nick Pritchard, who revives his role of Acis in Martin Parr's staged production of Acis and Galatea at St John's Smith Square, and by soprano Fflur Wyn for the closing event of the festival, a performance of Handel's rarely heard Occasional Oratorio.
For more information on the festival and information on how to buy tickets click here.
Following the festival in London, Laurence Cummings heads in April to the Göttingen International Handel Festival, where he is Artistic Director and will conduct performances of Handel's opera Arminio and the oratorio Judas Maccabaeus. For more information click here.
