Il Pomo D'Oro: Stradella's San Giovanni Battista

The Biblical tale of John the Baptist ends with the hero’s head on a platter. In this pacy, character-driven 17th-century oratorio, Salomé’s powers of persuasion lie not in dance but in song.

The characters of Stradella’s San Giovanni Battista come to life through an emotionally direct libretto (in Italian instead of the customary Latin) and vividly expressive music.

St John goes to the court of King Herod to criticise Herod’s marriage to his brother’s widow. Herod imprisons him, and his wife persuades her daughter, Salome, to request St John’s execution. The drama builds over 40 arias, recitatives, duets and choruses which demand the very best from singers.

Composer Stradella’s short life was packed with darkly sensational escapades until his assassination by a hired killer. His oratorio ends on a note of moral uncertainty that is deeply human.

Critically acclaimed for his recordings of early music, the young countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński is resoundingly popular with audiences.

Ticket prices from £20*

*excludes £4 booking fee