Read 9 reviews of London Handel Festival in the past14 March – 16 April 2013
Online booking opens 14 January
Telephone booking opens 21 January
Handel Singing Competition: application deadline 11 January 2013. Check the website for more details.
Founded by Denys Darlow in 1978 the London Handel Festival has contributed to a Handel revival in the UK, specialising in the performance of lesser-known works of the period. In 1981 the London Handel Orchestra and London Handel Singers made their debut at the Festival. Laurence Cummings took over as Musical Director from Denys Darlow in 2002.
Each year the Festival stages a Handel Opera showcasing some of the best young singers, stages a highly prestigious Handel Singing Competition with generous prizes and brings together top Baroque performers from around the world. All the London conservatoires are invited to promote some of their students of Baroque music to this specialised audience, by presenting at the Festival.
Laurence Cummings creates interesting, novel programmes each year which offer Handel aficionados and those new to Handel many approaches to the composer, from walks and talks for grown-ups to introductions for the very young, and the opportunity for choral singers to come and learn to sing a substantial Handel oratorio in a day, as well as highlighting many lesser known works by Handel and his contemporaries.
The Festival brings together some fresh young talent by the London Handel Orchestra, which is made up of some of London's finest professional baroque players, and led by Adrian Butterfield, now has an excellent reputation for historically informed performance. The Orchestra performs throughout the Festival as well as giving concerts at venues both in the UK and Europe outside the Festival period for other promoters.
For full information, visit the London Handel Festival website.
