It is with deep regret that Joyce DiDonato has announced that she will not be able to participate in the European performances of Ariodante with Harry Bicket and The English Concert due to a medical procedure. She is immensely sorry to disappoint her fans and admirers but is hugely grateful to the wonderful Alice Coote for stepping in for the European concerts, and to Harry Bicket and The English Concert for their support and understanding. Joyce is looking forward to singing the American tour dates.

We wish Joyce DiDonato a speedy recovery and are most grateful to the leading British mezzo-soprano Alice Coote for stepping in at such short notice. Alice Coote has been a close friend of The English Concert and Harry Bicket for many years. She has recorded three arias from Ariodante with the orchestra on her Handel Arias disc for Hyperion and has sung the roles of Ruggiero (Alcina) and Dejanira (Hercules) with the ensemble on tour in the 2014/15 season. They will also re-team with a production at Chicago’s Lyric Opera in 2019.

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