In the video below, we discuss a direction towards opera, particularly those of Handel, with interviews from Artistic Director Harry Bicket and soloists during their latest production. “Like a globe-travelling relative who returns bearing marvellous gifts, The English Concert continues to appear at Carnegie Hall bearing one gorgeous Handel opera after another. The English Concert will return in April of …
Harry Bicket discusses the development of period instrument performance during the past several decades. Bicket reveals his belief that attitudes towards the practice should be revised, allowing ensembles like The English Concert to be judged directly against orchestras that perform on modern instruments.
For the fledgling conductor and Karajan ‘wannabe’, conservatoires, universities, and summer schools offer the chance to hone their craft, swapping practice in front of their bathroom mirrors for rehearsal time with mentors, accompanists, or full-size symphony orchestras. Yet for the aspiring baroque director, prospects of working within such a specialised field are far and few between. Teaming up with the …