Göttingen, London, Valencia, Versailles, Vienna and Montreal

Tamerlano and Solomon at the Göttingen Handel Festival

The 2025 Göttingen Handel Festival opened with Solomon, followed the next day by Tamerlano — two major works by the composer. Both performances brought together a cast of distinguished soloists under the expert direction of George Petrou.

With Lawrence Zazzo, Louise Kemény, Juan Sancho, Yuriy Mynenko, Dara Savinova, Sreten Manojlović, Chœur du NDR, Orchestre du Festival de Göttingen and George Petrou.

Jephtha at the Barbican (London)

After Paris, Madrid and Dortmund — and before Budapest — Handel’s Jephtha made a stop at London’s Barbican Centre as part of Il Pomo d’Oro’s European tour with conductor Francesco Corti. The composer’s final oratorio, written when he was nearly blind, may also be his most moving. The performance once again played to a full house, with a star-studded cast led by Michael Spyres in the title role and Joyce DiDonato as Storgè.

With Michael Spyres, Joyce DiDonato, Mélissa Petit, Jasmin White, Cody Quattlebaum, Anna Piroli, Il Pomo d’Oro and Francesco Corti.

Tamerlano in Valencia

Handel’s Tamerlano, performed in concert version, was presented at the Palau de les Arts in Valencia, marking the end of an international tour by the Freiburger Barockorchester under René Jacobs.

With Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian, Thomas Walker, Katharina Ruckgaber, Alexander Chance, Helena Rasker, Matthias Winckhler, the Freiburger Barockorchester and René Jacobs.

L’Amant jaloux in Montreal

Presented for the first time in its entirety in Canada, Grétry’s L’Amant jaloux received a standing ovation at Montreal’s Salle Bourgie. This production was led by Arion Baroque Orchestra in collaboration with the Centre de musique baroque de Versailles.

With Magali Simard-Galdès, Hélène Guilmette, Guylaine Girard, Pierre Derhet, Artavazd Sargsyan, Matthieu Lécroart, the Arion Orchestre Baroque and Mathieu Lussier.

David et Jonathas in Versailles

At the Royal Chapel of Versailles, Charpentier’s David et Jonathas returned in a landmark production showcasing the elegance of the French oratorio tradition. The staging was by Marshall Pynkoski, with costumes by Christian Lacroix.

With Reinoud Van Mechelen, Caroline Arnaud, David Witczak, Cyril Costanzo, Antonin Rondepierre, François-Olivier Jean, Geoffroy Buffière, the Ensemble Marguerite Louise and Gaétan Jarry.

Griselda in Vienna

At the Theater an der Wien, a concert version of Bononcini’s Griselda was given, highlighting a rarely performed gem by the Italian composer. The performance was conducted by Benjamin Bayl with the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra.

With Sonja Runje, Max Emanuel Cencic, Johanna Falkinger, Dennis Orellana, Tomáš Král, the Wrocław Baroque Orchestra and Benjamin Bayl.