In anticipation of Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s latest play Emilia, being performed at Shakespeare’s Globe this summer, we delve into the world of Emilia Bassano, the supposed ‘Dark Lady’ of the Sonnets and muse to one William Shakespeare. The candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse sets the scene for one of England’s first feminist writers, pairing her poetry with the music of her contemporaries, friends...

Composers have long been inspired by each other’s work, whether in style, melody, rhythm, and even whole movements or works. We take a leaf from the past in creating something new and explore the arrangements of Haydn and Mozart through the centuries.The English ConcertHarry Bicket director/fortepianoMozart Fantasia in F minor (after K608 for mechanical clock) arr. BicketHaydn Symphony No.104 in...

In commemoration of the armistice, Wayne Eagling’s latest ballet (set to Handel’s masterpiece) is based on the life of Dame Marie Rambert during the Great War. A hugely influential figure on the British and international ballet scene, we follow her whirlwind romance with Ashley Dukes and her anguish at their separation as he is called back to the horrors of the battlefield.The English ConcertNew...

Uniting some of Handel’s greatest music with all-star casts, directed by Artistic Director Harry Bicket and with our virtuosic orchestra in full flight, it is an unmissable event. With Ariodante and Rinaldo in most recent seasons, now comes the turn of Semele; a tale of adultery and revenge amongst Gods.The English ConcertHarry Bicket director/harpsichordBrenda Rae SemeleElizabeth...

We love music of the baroque and classical periods, and we believe that through our performances on original instruments, with styles of playing and singing appropriate to a composer or period, we can get to the essential core of the music. With our international group of close-knit musicians, many of whom are soloists in their own right, anything is possible.

Kristian Bezuidenhout is one of today’s most notable and exciting keyboard artists, equally at home on the fortepiano, harpsichord, and modern piano. Born in South Africa in 1979, his studies have taken him around the world to Australia and North America, before settling in London. Gaining international recognition at the age of 21, winning first prize in the prestigious Bruges Fortepiano competition,...

While The English Concert has delighted audiences around the world for over 40 years, with no public funding, the survival of the orchestra is dependent upon the generous donations of its supporters. We would invite all those that follow the orchestra to join our dedicated family of donors who maintain the orchestra through a variety of established and tailored levels of support.

The English Concert have thrilled audiences across the world ever since our foundation in 1973. In four and a half decades we have been proud to field an ever-evolving, but close-knit, ensemble formed of the best international talent. On the eve of our 45th Anniversary Season which begins at Queen Elizabeth Hall on 11th October under principal guest director Kristian Bezuidenhout, we are delighted...