Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall saw an appearance by celebrities of the Baroque performance movement, Harry Bicket and the English Concert. With period instruments and superb singers, their concert performance of Handel’s Semele was a textbook example of how historical practice can refresh a well-worn piece. . .

The star of the day, even with so much excellent singing, was The English Concert itself: period ensembles can often feel choked by their own fastidious approach, but this ensemble’s playing bloomed, executing the score with perfect clarity. Under Bicket’s direction, there was a constant grace in their playing, and buoyancy in their sound.

Eric C. Simpson – New York Classical Review