LATEST NEWS
If you like our music, and feel you could make a donation to help support us through this immensely difficult patch, we would be extremely grateful and will be in touch with you to see how we can thank you.
Our latest album Handel’s Queens is out now:
“Superb album” Classic FM July 2019
“Handel has never sounded better” BBC Music Magazine 5 Stars *****
“The playing is so beautifully focused…Splendid in every respect.”
“This is as polished an account as any on account of Sophie Bevan’s unerring sense of decorum for what each movement requires.”
“A dazzling disc.”
“the performances all boast star quality”
“Cuzzoni and Faustina’s rivalry in 1720s London allegedly culminated in a bust-up during Bononcini’s Astianatte, in front of royalty. Both Bevan and Crowe sing from the opera, and together they perform a duet from Alessandro. Crowe draws the long straw with Cuzzoni’s show-stoppers from Giulio Cesare and Scipione, but Bevan’s sweet tone and instrumental style shine in lesser works for Faustina.”
Advanced Masterclasses and Weekend Courses
Originally established in 2008 award winning conductor Bridget Cunningham, directs and coaches from the harpsichord, just as Handel and LEO’s scheme and chamber ensemble The Handelians focuses on the development and education of exceptional singers and musicians nurturing and inspiring the future generations – which was a passion of Handel. The Handelians ensemble give concerts, workshops and coachings focusing on all levels and backgrounds of singers and musicians and in particular, up and coming singers and musicians on advanced level repertoire looking at various musical issues and techniques used in historical performance practice.
Lecture Recitals and Research
Bridget Cunningham and various members of LEO have given specialist lecture recitals at the Royal Academy of Arts, the Oxford and Cambridge Club, the National Gallery on music and art including Handel and Watteau and for the Da Vinci exhibition at the National Gallery. London Early Opera are leading exponents of baroque research and work closely under directions from Bridget Cunningham and other musicians, musicologists, historians, editors and researchers.
Educational Events
One of LEO’s theorbo player Cesar Queruz played for young pupils with special needs at the Jack Tizard school for the Music festival ‘JackFest’. Deputy Head Sarah said “It was a really positive, enjoyable experience for the children and for the staff.” Teaching assistant Suzanne said “Some of the children would not be able to travel to concerts and live music is such a stimulus for our kids.” One of the pupils Jamie, summed up what he thought of the LEO musician “more!” Other successful whole day Baroque Music Creative Workshops have been presented at Streatham & Clapham High Junior School and other educational establishments. Bridget Cunningham also led a special Handel event at the Handel Hendrix house for the harpsichord class from Morley College.
Royal Academy of Arts, London Watteau and Handel: 18th Century Music in London and Paris
Bridget Cunningham opened the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition, London Watteau and Handel: 18th Century Music in London and Paris, 2011 and gave a lecture recital with musical highlights from the Baroque Era – the time of Watteau and Handel – capturing the spirit of the stunning music performed in both fashionable cities. The soiree took place in Burlington House, where Handel himself performed when he lived there.
Researchers think the complexity of classical music primes the brain to solve spatial problems more quickly. Classical music more than other genres has a complex musical structure and babies as young as 3 months can pick out that structure and recognise classical music selections they have heard before. Listening to live music can be used as a motivator, to enhance creativity and build on a schools sense of community. The music can be stimulating or soothing and used in variety of forms or just simply to enhance mood and prepare young people to learn. It can be based on the National Curriculum or just for enrichment.
LEO can help students build a lifelong love of music and bring authenticity and originality to the forefront. LEO musicians introduce pupils and early music enthusiasts to instruments, styles and this wonderful cultural heritage.
Please contact LEO for more information on The Handelians, workshops, lectures and masterclasses.
Your generous donations can be enhanced by our recovery as a charity of Income Tax through the UK Gift Aid Scheme.
GIFT AID DECLARATION FORM Complete and return this to us by post to:
Rose Farm,
6 Frinton Road,
Thorpe-le-Soken,
Essex, CO16 0HS
England
info@londonearlyopera.org
EASYFUNDRAISING You can also support London Early Opera when you shop online with many retailers. Through EASYFUNDRAISING and AMAZON SMILE you will need to choose the charity ‘The London Early Opera Company Ltd’ and then continue shopping.
Donations can be made directly to:
Clydesdale Bank THE LONDON EARLY OPERA CO LTD
Sort Code 82-60-13 Account 50156135
London Early Opera Charity No. 1143989
Please contact us on the email address above if you would like any more information and if you may be able to support us with future events. Thank you!