Two contrasted masterpieces written in Italy around 1700. Handel’s brilliant and extended choral and orchestral setting of the psalm Dixit Dominus, written in Rome in April 1707, is his first great sacred work, and has become a favourite with choirs and audiences in modern times. We mark the 300th anniversary of the death of Alessandro Scarlatti, Handel’s great Italian contemporary, with a rare performance of his St John Passion, probably written when he was working in Naples in the 1690s. It is a stark and powerful work, a fascinating contrast with J.S. Bach’s setting, written about 30 years later. It sets the plain Gospel narrative in Latin, with the role of the Evangelist taken by an alto (Francis Gush) rather than a tenor, and Jesus (Stuart O’Hara) accompanied by three violins and continuo. The programme is completed by Scarlatti’s fine four part Sonata in F minor, effectively one of the earliest string quartets, intended to be played without continuo.

Tickets £20 (reserved) & £15 (unreserved)
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