Saturday’s Handel Celebration

Saturday evening’s ‘Candlelit Extravaganza’ promises to be the highlight of Bath’s spring season – and with all the music by the great baroque composer, Handel.

Opening the concert with the St Woolos Sinfonia is Handel’s Water Music Suite No.1 – one of the most famous pieces of music from the period. It was composed in response to King George I’s request for a concert on the River Thames in 1717.

Next is the delightful organ concerto The Cuckoo and the Nightingale. Handel himself was a gifted organist, and in this piece he uses bird song motifs corresponding to the birds of the title.

The second half contains a rare performance of his 50-minute oratorio The Choice of Hercules. Telling the tale of the youthful Hercules who decide between the paths of pleasure and virtue, it will feature the wonderful voices of Neil Moore, Eleanore Sian Cockerham, Angela Hicks and Michael Burgess.

“This rare and exciting performance of The Choice of Herculesshowcases a line up of International stars, the return of the Georgian Festival Chorale and St Woolos Sinfonia comprising of BBC NOW Musicians.”

Says Daniel Cushing, Artistic Director of Bath Recitals

The Georgian Festival Chorale (chorus master Francis Faux) and the St Woolos Sinfonia will be conducted by Daniel Robert Cushing.

Water Music

The highlight of Bath’s Spring Season

St Michael’s Church, Broad St, Bath BA1 5LJ
20 April 2024, 7.30pm Tickets £14-£30

Handel: Water Music Suite No.1 F major
Handel: Concerto for Organ The Cuckoo and the Nightingale
Handel: The Choice of Hercules

Supported by The Joyce Fletcher Charitable Trust

Picture credits:
1. Handel Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
2. Westminster Bridge, with the Lord Mayor’s Procession on the Thames, Canaletto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
3.Cuckoo & Nightingale, Public domain, Amazon
4. Artists pics supplied by themselves
5. Daniel Robert Cushing conducting