Handel, with care

Fiori Musicali will be joined by star soprano Grace Davidson for the concerts to perform the music of Handel at St Mary’s Church in Great Brington on Saturday followed by St Michael’s Church in Aynho on Sunday.

The group are well known around the area for their carefully crafted programmes of classical and early music - concerts designed to draw audiences into the colourful sound world of the 18th century.

The concerts will be featuring the music of Georg Frideric Handel – a composer the UK rather adopted when he arrived here from Germany in 1710. Handel became an instant success – top of the 18th-century pops. By mid century he was an honorary Englishman, and his music has been popular in this country ever since.

To celebrate the beginning of autumn the Fiori chamber orchestra and choir will be performing one of Handel’s famous Coronation Anthems, written for the coronation of King George II.

Also in the programme is Handel’s sublime showpiece motet for soprano and orchestra, Silete Venti – with exquisite soprano Grace Davidson in the star role.

Grace’s career continues apace – her effortless soprano voice is widely admired, she is often to be seen on television with The Sixteen, and her performances with Fiori are always eagerly awaited by audiences.

Penelope Rapson, Fiori’s director, comments: “It is always thrilling to have Grace singing with us. She has featured in Simon Russell Beale’s highly successful BBC Four television series, Sacred Music, and her beautiful clear voice attracts accolades across Europe. ”

Fiori’s concerts often see familiar musical masterpieces rubbing up against rarer musical gems. And for these concerts Grace will be performing a recently rediscovered Gloria attributed to Handel, which had not seen the light of day for over 250 years.

Penelope added: “This Gloria is a real piece of musical pyrotechnics for the soprano soloist.

“It shows the kind of dazzling virtuosity that Handel’s singers were capable of. And we are fortunate today to have brilliantly agile singers like Grace Davidson who are able to perform this kind of thing and bring this music to life again.”

Fiori’s concerts start at 7.30pm and at Aynho at 7pm.

Tickets cost £20 / £15. Book online at fiori-musicali.com or call the Box Office on 0333 666 33660.

Discounted tickets are available for children, students, unemployed and blue badge.

Concert-goers can also book supper at the Cartright Arms in Aynho after the Aynho performance.