Bach and Gluck resound in Bath Abbey with The Sixteen

The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra in Bath Abbey

The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra with Harry Christophers

By Roy Westbrook, 22 February 2026

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“the atmosphere and exhilaration of the music was terrifically present”

Reviewed at Bath Abbey, Bath on 21 February 2026

Bach, Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes - Cantata, BWV40

Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice (Act 2)

Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice: Ballet suite

Gluck, Orfeo ed Euridice: Che farò senza Euridice?

Bach, Missa in F major, BWV233

Jeremy Budd, Tenor

Alexandra Kidgell, Soprano

Ben Davies, Bass

Elisabeth Paul, Mezzo-soprano

Heather Lowe, Mezzo-soprano

The Sixteen

The Orchestra of The Sixteen

Harry Christophers, Conductor

Uneven Mozart and Haydn from The Sixteen at Cadogan Hall

Mark Valencia, 16th February

The Sixteen’s work is spoilt by a shortage of violins and some uneven solo contributions. Such imperfections only serve to highlight the excellence of the very best.

***11

The Sixteen and Julian Joseph: a one-sided conversation

David Karlin, 27th January

The latest instalment of Kings Place's “Sound Unwrapped” series delivers wonderful musicianship in both jazz and early music, but not the promised “continuous fusion of styles”.

***11

The Passion takes to Manchester's streets

Imogen Phoebe Webb, 25th March

Under the baton of Harry Christophers and direction of Penny Woolcock, Streetwise Opera, The Sixteen, Sixteen Orchestra, backed by a number of Manchester-based organisations came together to bring a well-crafted Easter dramatisation of one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s seminal oratorios.

****1

The Sixteen soar in Monteverdi's masterpiece

Andrew Larkin, 10th October

Engaging, passionate and life-afirming: Harry Christophers' group The Sixteen give a memorable rendition of Monteverdi's Vespers 1610

****1

An absorbing Monteverdi Vespers in Guildford

Travis Mason, 29th January

The Sixteen's tour of Monteverdi's Vespers nears completion with an absorbing rendition at Guildford Cathedral.

****1

Inspirational performance of Handel by The Sixteen in Dublin

Andrew Larkin, 13th October

At one point in the classic 1950 film All About Eve, the inimitable theatre critic Addison DeWitt speaks reverently of his art as critic: “I have lived in the theatre as a Trappist monk lives in his faith. I have no other world; no other life – and once in a great while, I experience that moment of revelation for which all true believers wait and pray.

*****

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Roy Westbrook

Roy Westbrook gained a diploma in music history at London University (Morley College) and was for some years the head of music day schools at Oxford University, where he also led music summer schools. After some years leading the University's business school he has returned to music teaching and writing, and recently took part in the Arts in Residence courses on Bruckner, Mahler and Bach He is co-author (with Terry Barfoot) of a history of opera, and has taught day schools on Sibelius in Oxford and elsewhere.

Bach and Gluck resound in Bath Abbey with The Sixteen and Harry Christophers