Carmen Lasok soprano Glenn Kesby director/countertenor Robert Aldwinckle harpsichord
Occasional Members: Lucy Thomas soprano Anita Strevens baroque cello

Baroque Encounter, a dynamic early music ensemble, gives audiences a ‘resplendently baroque’ experience, presenting exciting repertoire in elaborate period costumes in vivid and engaging performances ranging from semi-staged concerts to full productions. Along with more popular baroque works, Baroque Encounter offers audiences the opportunity to experience the splendours of under-valued baroque gems. Performances use period instruments, work with baroque costume specialists and prepare with baroque directors/choreographers. Large scale performances began with a rare staging of Handel’s serenata Parnasso in Festa and later with three semi-staged early Handel Italian cantatas for Ruspoli including The Duelling Lovers (Il Duello Amoroso), at St John’s, Smith Square in London. Chamber concerts of Venetian music dedicated to love, in full costume, emulate the intimate period salon performances. As a variable-sized ensemble, Baroque Encounter is the perfect solution for corporate entertainment, private parties, museums, music clubs and societies and festivals.

Sample Programme:

Love in Venice: Love’s joys and torments are explored in rare virtuoso solo cantatas and charming chamber duets by Venetian masters, Albinoni, Lotti, Handel, Steffani and Vivaldi. The extravagant baroque costumes of the singers enhance the salon-style performance.

Recordings:

Demo CD available with live recording excerpts from Handel’s Parnasso in Festa, Vivaldi’s cantata Alla caccia dell’alme and the chamber duet Giuramento Amoroso by Lotti. Full length live recording of Love in Venice (available only through Baroque Encounter) recorded 14 July 2005, St James’s Church, Piccadilly, London. Virtuoso chamber duets and cantatas from composers in Venice including Albinoni, Lotti, Steffani, Handel and Vivaldi.

Performances:

19 Jan 07 St James’s, Piccadilly, London
9 Jun 07 St John’s, Smith Square, London
May 08 Llantilio Crossenny Festival

Contact:

Glenn Kesby, 34 Roupell Street,
London SE1 8TB

Tel: 020 7928 1219 or 07905 117785

Email: mail@baroque-encounter.com Website: www.baroque-encounter.com