LATEST NEWS

We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for nominations for the Gramophone Awards 2020 

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.”

CD Review, BBC Radio 3

“This is as polished an account as any on account of Sophie Bevan’s unerring sense of decorum for what each movement requires.” 

Editors Pick, Gramophone Magazine

“A dazzling disc.”

CD Review, The Observer

“the performances all boast star quality”

Ken Walton, The Scotsman

“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.”

David Mellor, Classical FM

LISTEN/ WATCH/ BUY

Available here

Fundraising for London Early Opera.

Oxford Youth Choirs – Saturday at Noon Series.

Living Room Live Concerts

Bridget Cunningham’s plays Bach and Handel live from home during the COVID-19 confinement.

Bridget Cunningham talks to Fiona Jessica-Wilson about Handel’s singers

Listen here

CONCERTS

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ABOUT US

London Early Opera (LEO) was established in 2008 by Artistic Director, Bridget Cunningham and is a UK Registered Charity No. 1143989. Working in partnership with the French Association CreAquitaine.

LEO is at the forefront of baroque research and performance practice working with leading historians, scholars and editors performing unique recently discovered programmes specialising in the music of George Frideric Handel and his contemporaries.

LEO has established itself around the world for these imaginative programmes, award winning research, outstanding performances and for nurturing international singers in the baroque style. The Artistic Director, Bridget Cunningham coaches and directs from the harpsichord and their new scheme The Handelians focuses on the development and education of exceptional singers and musicians inspiring the future generations – one of Handel’s passions.

LEO is expanding its recording series with Signum Classics exploring Handel’s colourful life, influences and experiences which inspired his magnificent musical legacy. Handel in Italy Volumes 1 & 2, Handel in Ireland, Handel at Vauxhall Volumes 1 & 2 and Handel’s Queens have been reviewed with international acclaim;

“Handel has never sounded better” 2019 BBC Music Magazine 5 Stars *****

Since 2008 their performances range from Handel’s Semele, Acis and Galatea, Bach’s Easter Oratorio, a 400th Anniversary concert of Monteverdi‘s 1610 Vespers at Southwark Cathedral, several performances at the London Handel Festival, Handel Hendrix and the Foundling Museum and a live broadcast for BBC Radio 4 on the River Thames celebrating the 300th anniversary of Handel’s Water Music with a world premiere BBC commission.

London Early Opera are currently fundraising to complete their new edition and world premiere recording of Handel’s pasticcio opera Caio Fabbricio HWV A9 – as well as future concerts and other important ground breaking recordings.

LEO receives no public funding and has no overheads or office costs – ALL donations are given directly for music performances, recordings, research and editions.

EDUCATION

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.

LONDON EARLY OPERA

ROSE FARM

6 FRINTON ROAD

THORPE LE SOKEN

ESSEX

CO16 OHS

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SUPPORT US

The financial effects for all charities including LEO are severe. Your valuable donation will enable us to continue our programmes and support our freelance artists and partners.
London Early Opera  is currently looking for supporters and sponsors to help promote this glorious music, to be able to put on more concerts and recordings – as well as support our extensive education programme for all students and from all backgrounds and levels.
For your donations, please click on the link below:

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 at NO extra cost to you.

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!

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