LATEST NEWS
NEW RELEASE – Modern day world premiere performance and recording of Handel’s Caio Fabbricio HWV A9.
“They are unashamedly intended to please the senses and, in the hands of stylistically informed players, they never fail to do so. Bridget Cunningham is just such a player… her ability to entertain unassailable” ★★★★★ 5 Stars
BBC Music Magazine January 2022
“At once magisterial and engaging, harpsichordist Bridget Cunningham brings a dynamic imagination to bear on Handel’s still relatively neglected keyboard works” ★★★★★5 Stars
Robert Hugill.
We have launched a NEW fundraiser ‘Raise the Roof’ – to raise £10,000 for recordings, streamed performances and our Handelians educational scheme. Please support us: https://www.gofundme.com
“Handel has never sounded better” BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★ 5 Stars
Shortlisted for nominations for the Gramophone Awards 2020
“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.”
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Fundraising for London Early Opera.
London Early Opera has made an impact around the world for outstanding performances imaginative programmes, award winning research of baroque music, acclaimed CD recordings and for nurturing international singers and musicians in the baroque style.
Our Artistic Director, Bridget Cunningham coaches and directs from the harpsichord and researches the music with a group of leading historians and musicologists from around the world creating our own new editions and scores. Our emerging artists 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 LEO was shortlisted for nominations for Gramophone Music Award 2020:
“Handel has never sounded better” 2019 BBC Music Magazine 5 Stars *****
Since 2008 our diverse performances range from Handel’s Semele, Acis and Galatea, Messiah, Bach’s Easter Oratorio, Trafalgar Day Concert with Jamie Crick, a 400th Anniversary concert of Monteverdi‘s 1610 Vespers at Southwark Cathedral, Couperin’s Leçons de ténèbres, several performances at the London Handel Festival, Handel Hendrix and the Foundling Museums, a recording for period instruments of the Shropshire Lad by George Butterworth 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.
LEO are currently fundraising for £10,000 towards future concerts, educational work and world premier recordings to support our musicians in need.
We have no overheads or office costs and all donations given go directly towards music making – musical research, editions, education, recordings and performances.
London Early Opera established in 2008 and is a UK Registered Charity No. 1143989 working in partnership with the French Association CréAquitaine.
Music – the ultimate learning and sharing opportunity
Our emerging artists educational scheme The Handelians focuses on the professional development and education of exceptional young musicians inspiring the future generations – one of Handel’s passions.
Singers and instrumentalists from LEO offer advanced coaching sessions on musical techniques, historical performance practice, repertoire as well as career advice. We also offer workshops for schools and conservatoires based on the National Curriculum or purely for enrichment.
LEO can help students build a lifelong love of baroque music and bring authenticity and originality to the forefront by introducing historical instruments, baroque style and a wonderful cultural heritage.
Lecture Recitals and Research – sharing and learning
Our Artistic Director, Bridget Cunningham and various members of LEO have given specialist lecture recitals on music and art for the Royal Academy of Arts, Handel Hendrix Museum, Royal College of Music and the National Gallery. We also make and feature on videos, talks and podcasts for online forums and platforms such as Vocalista, the Oxford Youth Choirs ‘Saturday at Noon’ series and Living Room Live. And have our own YouTube Channel
London Early Opera https://www.youtube.com
All of our artists are leading exponents of baroque research and work closely with other musicologists, historians, editors and researchers as we believe that music is the ultimate learning and sharing opportunity.
Past Educational Events
One of LEO’s theorbo player Cesar Queruz played for young pupils with learning needs at the Jack Tizard school. The Deputy Head 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!” LEO has run Baroque Music Creative Workshops at Streatham & Clapham High Junior School and other educational establishments.
Bridget Cunningham opened the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition, London Watteau and Handel: 18th Century Music in London and Paris 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.
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