Hither This Way, This Way Bend...

... to the gorgeous theatre music of Mr Henry Purcell.  The tour of 'King Arthur' with Ensemble Jacques Moderne was (apart from everyone's usual January sniffles) a resounding success.  I have to admit that it was also vastly diverting to be amongst a load of French folk singing about how marvellous Britain is.  And singing it exquisitely, too, I have to add!

salle gaveau, paris

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A Rose By Any Other Name...

... would sound the same!  December brought Mozart and lots of it. The 'Mass in c minor' and the 'Davide Penitente': much of the same music under different titles, one in Latin and the other in Italian. Both with student orchestras in the Netherlands (USKO and CM Leiden) in some lovely venues.  Crazy but fun!

stadsgehoorzaal, leiden*

jacobikerk, utrecht*

January sees some more delicious Purcell with Ensemble Jacques Moderne.  Yummy!

* (Photos shamelessly ganked from flickr and picasa because I forgot to take my camera!)

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More Anniversaries?

Yes indeed! Two different composers this time: Mr Haydn and Mr Mendelssohn. I took part in the fine rendition of Haydn's 'Paukenmesse' by the Nieuwe Mannheim Koor en Orkest directed by Quentin Clare and managed to listen to their excellent playing in the rest of the concert, which included Mendelssohn's 'Hebrides Overture'. These guys just keep getting better and better! 

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And The Anniversary Year Continues....

Mmmm - Purcell and Handel! Great music, great group! Ensemble Jacques Moderne were on top form and it was fun singing in my 'home-town' of Tours again - the first time in over 2 years. (We also sang in Blois!) There will be more Purcell with them early next year with concerts of the lovely 'King Arthur'! Bring it on!

cathédrale saint-louis de blois

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Scarlatti en Bretagne

I had the pleasure of singing in the magnificent cathedral of Saint-Malo at the beginning of the month, with La Scordatura, directed by Christophe Sam. It was a perfect setting to sing the gorgeous Stabat Mater by Domenico Scarlatti, written for ten voices and basso continuo.

 

cathédrale saint-vincent-de-saragosse de saint-malo

Next up are some concerts of Purcell and Handel anthems with Ensemble Jacques Moderne in Tours and Blois. This is my kind of anniversary year!!

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