Händel. Haydn

Georg Frideric Handel and Joseph Haydn — two important continental composers of the 18th century, who also had a significant influence on musical life in England. While Haydn spent only a few years in London, Handel remained there for two-thirds of his life and was instrumental in promoting Italian opera and the creation of English oratorio. The final Lobkowicz evening will feature a performance of their vocal-instrumental works by Helen Charlston and the PKF — Prague Philharmonia. In their time these pieces were intended for castrati; now they are taken up by countertenors or mezzo-sopranos. 

Handel's compositional career had got off to a great start in Italy, but a major turning point for him and for English musical life was the commission for Rinaldo, the first Italian opera written for London. The great stage effects and Handel's melodicism were such a success with the public that they foreshadowed the composer's thirty years in London's operatic limelight. This was eclipsed only with the arrival of a rival opera company, which forced Handel to leave the then prestigious King's Theatre (consequently Ariodante and other operas premiered at the newly founded Covent Garden). Eventually the pressure of competition forced Handel to leave the genre — Imeneo is one of his last operas. 

Joseph Haydn held the position of Kapellmeister of Prince Esterhazy's orchestra for more than a quarter of a century, and only came to England after the Prince's death. He wrote the cantata Ariadne auf Naxos before his first trip to London, where it became very popular. The castrato Gasparo Paschierotti won over the audience when he managed to perfectly portray the indignation and despair of Ariadne invoking her lover Theseus, who had abandoned her. 

Helen Charlston, recent recipient of the prestigious Grammophone Award for her album of 17th century arias and winner of the BBC Music Magazine 2023Vocal Awards, is one of the first graduates of the Rising Star programme organized by the renowned British period orchestra, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. She also participated in the Young Artists Programme with the equally famous ensemble Les Arts Florissants.

In 2021, the BBC awarded her the New Generation Artists award.

She specializes in early music from Monteverdi to Mozart and has received invitations from a number of major world venues, including the Wigmore Hall and the Concertgebouw. Her successful career was secured in 2018 by winning the Handel Singing Competition in London, subsequently performing, for example, in Handel's oratorios Israel in Egypt (with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra), Theodora (with the San Francisco Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra) and Judas Maccabeus with the Berlin RIAS Kammerchor. 

The subscription for 1 person costs 28,000 CZK (including VAT)

The subscription covers all four concerts, a reserved seat in the hall and entry to all parts of the evening. The subscription is transferable.

By purchasing a subscription, you support the PKF — Prague Philharmonia orchestra.

We will issue you a donation receipt for part of the subscription cost. We also offer the possibility of advertising for companies.

For further information and reservations please contact: