Live, Video: Find classical music concert, opera, ballet and dance reviews | Handel

18th-century fireworks from Stephen Layton and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

By Sandra Bowdler, 23 August 2025

Stephen Layton conducts Haydn and Handel, and is joined by soprano Sara Macliver for Bach and Mozart for a joyful evening.

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Sydney

23 Aug 2025

18th-century fireworks from Stephen Layton and the Sydney Symphony

By Sandra Bowdler

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Saratoga

Climate change and classic arias: Renée Fleming in Saratoga Springs

By Cameron Kelsall, 15 August 2025

Fleming's program, an outgrowth of her Grammy-winning album Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene, makes an urgent case for the preservation of the world's natural wonders.

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Saratoga

15 Aug 2025

Climate change and classic arias: Renée Fleming in Saratoga Springs

By Cameron Kelsall

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Hereford

Thrilling moments in Alexander’s Feast at the Three Choirs Festival

By David Truslove, 29 July 2025

A rare performance of one of Handel’s choral extravaganzas, given a forthright outing in Hereford Cathedral that highlights the power, if not the subtlety, of music.

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Hereford

29 Jul 2025

Thrilling moments in Alexander’s Feast at the Three Choirs Festival

By David Truslove

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Manchester

Familiar favourites and a few surprises showcase the Hallé Choir

By Peter Connors, 26 July 2025

A programme of shorter masterpieces brings the Hallé season at the Bridgewater Hall to an uplifting and exhilarating conclusion.

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Manchester

26 Jul 2025

Familiar favourites and a few surprises showcase the Hallé Choir

By Peter Connors

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Hobart

Polished Baroque from Caitlin Hulcup and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

By Sandra Bowdler, 24 July 2025

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra ventures into (mostly) Baroque territory with the help of mezzo-soprano Caitlin Hulcup.

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Hobart

24 Jul 2025

Polished Baroque from the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

By Sandra Bowdler

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Pretty Yende leads an outstanding cast in Oliver Mears’ bleak Semele at The Royal Opera

By David Karlin, 30 June 2025

Superb Handelian singing and intense character acting light up Handel’s Semele, staged as a stark, uncompromising indictment of the rich and powerful.

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London

30 Jun 2025

In Mears’ bleak Royal Opera Semele, Pretty Yende stands out

By David Karlin

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High Wycombe

Ravishing Rodelinda: Handel al fresco at Garsington Opera

By Roy Westbrook, 13 June 2025

Ruth Knight untangles Handel's Rodelinda, directing a new staging at Garsington which features a feast of fine singing.

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High Wycombe

13 Jun 2025

Ravishing Rodelinda: Handel al fresco at Garsington Opera

By Roy Westbrook

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Two Israels in Egypt: a nice idea falling short in its execution in Halle

By Sandra Bowdler, 10 June 2025

Inspirations for Handel's great work Israel in Egypt followed by a performance of the full work is a great idea, but the main event suffers at the Handel Festival Halle.

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Halle

10 Jun 2025

Israels in Egypt: a nice idea falling short in its execution in Halle

By Sandra Bowdler

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Glyndebourne

Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

By Nick Boston, 08 June 2025

Returning from the original run, Christopher Purves and Iestyn Davies were joined by a strong cast and chorus for a revival of Barrie Kosky's striking production.

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Glyndebourne

08 Jun 2025

Glyndebourne's Saul still packs a punch 10 years on

By Nick Boston

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Il convito d'Alessandro: an Italian version of a Handel masterpiece in Halle

By Sandra Bowdler, 05 June 2025

Earl Cowper's Italian version of Alexander's Feast kickstarts this year's “Italian" Handel Festival in the composer's birthplace.

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Halle

05 Jun 2025

Il convito d'Alessandro: an Italian version of a Handel masterpiece

By Sandra Bowdler

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Hamburg

A majestic meditation on justice and compassion: Handel’s Solomon at the Elbphilharmonie

By Mengguang Huang, 15 May 2025

In Hamburg, George Petrou’s Göttingen presentation of Solomon weaves regal authority and tender humanity into a vivid exploration of justice’s timeless complexity.

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Hamburg

15 May 2025

Handel’s Solomon at the Elbphilharmonie

By Mengguang Huang

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Perth WA

Baroque Brilliance from Sara Macliver and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra

By Sandra Bowdler, 01 May 2025

A selection of Baroque works form an unusual concert, providing a showcase for violinist Shaun Lee-Chen and soprano Sara Macliver, highlighting the orchestra's versatility.

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Perth WA

01 May 2025

Baroque Brilliance from Sara Macliver and WASO in Perth

By Sandra Bowdler

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Myth meets Shoreditch: a rewarding double bill from the Handel Opera Studio

By Dominic Lowe, 29 March 2025

Part of this year's London Handel Festival, Apollo e Dafne and The Choice of Hercules are transported to the stage in a captivating production that blends music and dance.

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London

29 Mar 2025

Myth meets Shoreditch: a rewarding Handel double bill

By Dominic Lowe

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Rome

Handel’s Alcina makes its overdue Rome debut

By Pia Maltri, 18 March 2025

Illusion – theatrical illusion – is the theme of Pierre Audi's staging of Alcina, Handel’s beloved opera which finally makes its debut in Rome.

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Rome

18 Mar 2025

Handel’s Alcina makes its overdue Rome debut

By Pia Maltri

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Dortmund

René Jacobs confronts acoustical challenges in Handel's Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno

By Mengguang Huang, 12 March 2025

René Jacobs and Sunhae Im tackle Handel’s Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno in Dortmund’s acoustically dry Reinoldihaus. Despite challenges, Im’s radiant soprano and B’Rock Orchestra’s basso continuo group shine.

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Dortmund

12 Mar 2025

René Jacobs confronts acoustical challenges in Dortmund Handel

By Mengguang Huang

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Karlsruhe

Siroe, Re di Persia: a majestic and true-to-form revival at Staatstheater Karlsruhe

By Mengguang Huang, 28 February 2025

Ulrich Peters' 2024 production justifies the artistic value of Handel’s unjustly neglected opera and the literary value of Metastasio's libretto.

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Karlsruhe

28 Feb 2025

Siroe, Re di Persia: a majestic and true-to-form Karlsruhe revival

By Mengguang Huang

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Karlsruhe

Rinaldo conducts Rinaldo: a Baroque favourite at Karlsruhe’s International Handel Festival

By Mengguang Huang, 26 February 2025

With dazzling set designs and powerhouse sopranos, Karlsruhe’s Rinaldo upholds the opera's Baroque fantasy allure in a flawed yet fascinating production, conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini.

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Karlsruhe

26 Feb 2025

Rinaldo conducts Rinaldo at the Karlsruhe Handel Festival

By Mengguang Huang

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Melbourne

Samuel Mariño: high on Handel in Melbourne

By Sandra Bowdler, 13 February 2025

The sopranista voice type is rare although not unknown, but there are very few who are an unmitigated joy to listen to: Samuel Mariño is one of those rarities.

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Melbourne

13 Feb 2025

Samuel Mariño: high on Handel in Melbourne

By Sandra Bowdler

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Saanen

Beauty from Iestyn Davies, energy from Robin Ticciati at Sommets Musicaux

By David Karlin, 02 February 2025

Iestyn Davies shows how to make every word count in a fairly standard sampler of Baroque arias; Ticciati is a fireball on the podium with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

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Saanen

02 Feb 2025

Beauty from Iestyn Davies, energy from Robin Ticciati in Gstaad

By David Karlin

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New York City

Baroque chestnuts served up by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Julia Bullock

By David Wolfson, 23 January 2025

The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and soprano Julia Bullock invite us to listen to familiar pieces with fresh ears in invigorating performances at New York's 92NY.

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New York City

23 Jan 2025

Baroque chestnuts served up by the OAE and Julia Bullock at 92NY

By David Wolfson

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Academy of Ancient Music and Laurence Cummings deliver a majestic Messiah

By Charlotte Gardner, 16 December 2024

Laurence Cummings and the AAM serve up Messiah-shaped serenity at the Barbican.

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London

16 Dec 2024

Academy of Ancient Music delivers a majestic Messiah

By Charlotte Gardner

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Rome

A rare outing for Handel's Rodelinda in Rome

By Pia Maltri, 22 November 2024

La Lira di Orfeo and Raffaele Pe bring Handel's opera in a concert performance to the Parco della Musica.

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Rome

22 Nov 2024

A rare outing for Handel's Rodelinda in Rome

By Pia Maltri

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Julius Caesar – or some of it – from Pinchgut Opera

By Sandra Bowdler, 21 November 2024

Handel's Giulio Cesare is heavily abridged in Sydney, but generally well-performed musically, albeit with a rather awkward staging by Neil Armfield.

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Sydney

21 Nov 2024

Julius Caesar – or some of it – from Pinchgut Opera

By Sandra Bowdler

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Zurich

Serse as a quirky modern tale in Zurich

By Laura Servidei, 29 September 2024

Christophe Dumaux shines as Arsamene in Nina Russi’s enjoyable production of Handel’s masterpiece revived at the Opernhaus Zürich under the baton of Enrico Onofri.

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Zurich

29 Sep 2024

Handel’s Serse as a quirky modern tale in Zurich

By Laura Servidei

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Budapest

A promising class of twelve: the grand final of the 6th Éva Marton Competition

By Orsolya Gyárfás, 07 September 2024

In its tenth year and going strong, the biennial Éva Marton International Singing Competition fields an even level of talent in an entertaining finale.

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Budapest

07 Sep 2024

A promising class: 6th Éva Marton Competition grand final

By Orsolya Gyárfás

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Handel's Messiah overpowered by massed forces to close the Proms Choral Day

By Nick Boston, 07 September 2024

Massed choral forces, a strong solo line up and expanded orchestral forces overpower Handel at the end of the BBC Proms Choral Day.

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London

07 Sep 2024

Handel's Messiah overpowered by massed forces at the Proms

By Nick Boston

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Yukie Sato unlocks Handel’s House with the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

By Sandra Bowdler, 30 August 2024

Japanese soprano Yukie Sato joins the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra for a concert of Handel arias and orchestral works by Vivaldi and Pisandel, with a significant contribution from concertmaster Shawn Lee-Chen.

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Sydney

30 Aug 2024

Yukie Sato unlocks Handel’s House in Sydney

By Sandra Bowdler

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Edinburgh

Irish Baroque Orchestra recreates Mr Charles’ 1742 Dublin Concert in Edinburgh

By David Smythe, 22 August 2024

Whelan conducts the lively Irish Baroque Orchestra in a recreation of Mr Charles’ 1742 Dublin concert showcasing horns and introducing the oboe d’amore and the chalumeau.

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Edinburgh

22 Aug 2024

Irish Baroque Orchestra recreates Mr Charles’ 1742 Concert

By David Smythe

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Beauty and madness: the Academy of Ancient Music are inspired in Handel's Orlando

By Roy Westbrook, 30 June 2024

“A concert performance with neither scenery nor action would be a sacrilege,” wrote one authority of this opera. Nobody told the Academy of Ancient Music...

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London

30 Jun 2024

Academy of Ancient Music are inspired in Handel's Orlando

By Roy Westbrook

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New York City

Extreme Taylor shows off Paul Taylor's broad range

By Ivy Lin, 27 June 2024

It was a priceless chance to see some of the best and rarest of Paul Taylor.

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New York City

27 Jun 2024

Extreme Taylor shows off Paul Taylor's broad range

By Ivy Lin

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Glyndebourne

Hail Caesar! Glyndebourne’s celebrated Giulio Cesare in Egitto returns

By Roy Westbrook, 23 June 2024

Louise Alder shines as Cleopatra, one of Baroque opera’s greatest creations, in the fourth Glyndebourne revival of Sir David McVicar's much-loved production.

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Glyndebourne

23 Jun 2024

Hail Caesar! Glyndebourne’s celebrated Giulio Cesare returns

By Roy Westbrook

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Merseburg

Acoustic prevents La resurrezione from rising at the Handel Festival Halle

By Sandra Bowdler, 02 June 2024

What might have been an outstanding performance of a great early Handel work is compromised by the limitations of the venue, but the combined forces do their best before an enthusiastic audience.

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Merseburg

02 Jun 2024

Acoustic prevents La resurrezione from rising in Halle

By Sandra Bowdler

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Jephtha: Handel's last English oratorio at the Halle Handel Festival

By Sandra Bowdler, 30 May 2024

Handel's last English oratorio Jephtha is beautifully performed by Christophe Rousset and Les Talens Lyriques in Halle, although the drama is a bit slow off the mark.

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Halle

30 May 2024

Jephtha: Handel's last English oratorio at the Halle Handel Festival

By Sandra Bowdler

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Sons of England: a fresh look at English Baroque from the AAM

By Susannah Moody, 30 May 2024

Countertenor Reginald Mobley and the Academy of Ancient Music shine in an alternative history of English Baroque, with a new work by Roderick Williams.

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London

30 May 2024

Sons of England: a fresh look at English Baroque from the AAM

By Susannah Moody

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Biblical Handel: Athalia in Halle

By Sandra Bowdler, 26 May 2024

Handel's third English oratorio is presented in strictly traditional fashion at the 2024 Halle Handel Festival but nonetheless generates drama, excitement and excellent singing.

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Halle

26 May 2024

Biblical Handel: Athalia in Halle

By Sandra Bowdler

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Paris

Carry on up the Nile: Handel's Berenice by the Seine

By Sandra Bowdler, 21 May 2024

One of Handel's lesser operas receives a deluxe concert performance at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris, with Il Pomo d'Oro and a fine array of singers.

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Paris

21 May 2024

Carry on up the Nile: Handel's Berenice by the Seine

By Sandra Bowdler

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Göttingen

A triumph of time over disillusion at the Handel Festival, Göttingen

By Sandra Bowdler, 09 May 2024

Handel's 1707 allegorical Italian oratorio is brought to stunning life by a brilliant quartet of singers and the impeccable FestspielOrchester Göttigen under festival director George Petrou.

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Göttingen

09 May 2024

A triumph of time over disillusion at the Handel Festival, Göttingen

By Sandra Bowdler

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Handel's Brockes Passion resurrected by Harry Bicket and The English Concert

By Roy Westbrook, 27 March 2024

The London Handel Festival offers a chance to hear rarely performed music for Passiontide, with Harry Bicket conducting the English Concert.

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London

27 Mar 2024

Handel's Brockes Passion resurrected by The English Concert

By Roy Westbrook

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Perth WA

Vivaldi and Handel for Holy Week in Perth

By Sandra Bowdler, 27 March 2024

The pairing of Vivaldi's Gloria with Handel's Dixit Dominus makes for an interesting combination with, on this occasion, the latter making the more dramatic impact with the always impressive St George's Cathedral Consort.

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Perth WA

27 Mar 2024

Vivaldi and Handel for Holy Week in Perth

By Sandra Bowdler

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Purchase

Doug Varone and Dancers triumph in To My Arms / Restore

By Carla Escoda, 16 March 2024

A gripping, if occasionally puzzling, evening from Doug Varone.

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Purchase

16 Mar 2024

Doug Varone and Dancers triumph in To My Arms / Restore

By Carla Escoda

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A triumphant Esther from Cummings at the London Handel Festival's Spring Awakenings

By Nick Boston, 14 March 2024

A glorious Esther from Laurence Cummings and the London Handel Singers and Orchestra, with a classy line-up of soloists led by Nardus Williams and Tim Mead.

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London

14 Mar 2024

A triumphant Esther from Cummings at London Handel Festival

By Nick Boston

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Eric Lu plumbs the depths at Wigmore Hall

By Alexander Hall, 10 March 2024

Eric Lu's Schubert is always special: full of the existential elements that make this composer so rewarding. Other pieces by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and Prokofiev make up a varied recital.

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London

10 Mar 2024

Eric Lu plumbs the depths at Wigmore Hall

By Alexander Hall

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Berlin

Handelian labours: Barrie Kosky directs Hercules at the Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris, 03 March 2024

Handel's seldom-performed Hercules becomes the latest oratorio to undergo the Kosky treatment at Komische Oper.

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Berlin

03 Mar 2024

Handelian labours: Kosky directs Hercules at Komische Oper Berlin

By Zenaida des Aubris

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Faithful to Handel: Pinchgut Opera brings Theodora to the Sydney Opera House

By Jeremy Eccles, 08 February 2024

Pinchgut Opera presents magnificent music and a timeless ethical debate on faith versus sectarian difference.

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Sydney

08 Feb 2024

Faithful to Handel: Pinchgut Opera performs Theodora

By Jeremy Eccles

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Amsterdam

Barrie Kosky's Agrippina is finally crowned at Dutch National Opera

By Eleanor Knight, 13 January 2024

The Australian director's 2019 production of Handel's satirical comedy-thriller arrives in Amsterdam, with a cast led by the fabulous Stéphanie d'Oustrac.

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Amsterdam

13 Jan 2024

Barrie Kosky's Agrippina is finally crowned at DNO

By Eleanor Knight

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New York City

Biondi leads energetic Messiah in New York

By David Wolfson, 12 December 2023

Fabio Biondi, making his New York Philharmonic debut, leads the New York Phil, the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus, and a quartet of soloists in a Messiah that emphasizes momentum.

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New York City

12 Dec 2023

Biondi leads energetic Messiah in New York

By David Wolfson

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Manchester

The devil is in the detail: Stephen Layton’s Hallé Messiah at Bridgewater Hall

By Leighton Jones, 09 December 2023

The Hallé orchestra and choir pack out Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall for a Messiah which both delights and disappoints.

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Manchester

09 Dec 2023

The devil is in the detail: Stephen Layton’s Hallé Messiah

By Leighton Jones

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Melbourne

Excellent Melbourne Messiah heralds the Australian Christmas season

By Sandra Bowdler, 03 December 2023

The approach of Christmas in Australia always bring a veritable flood of Messiahs of varying quality, but the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra's offering, while using modern instruments, could otherwise hardly have been bettered.

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Melbourne

03 Dec 2023

Excellent Melbourne Messiah heralds the Australian Christmas season

By Sandra Bowdler

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