The English Concert: Handel’s Rinaldo

A world-beating cast joins The English Concert for Handel’s opera of knights, lovers and one very wicked witch…

Love, war, and other enchantments: the warrior-hero of Handel’s Rinaldo battles sorcery as well as altogether more sensuous enemies. Rinaldo was Handel’s first Italian opera, and this fantastic tale of witchcraft, warfare and passion took London by storm when it opened – just around the corner from St Martin-in-the-Fields – in 1711. Handel used the finest performers of his day, and for this concert performance The English Concert is taking the same approach, with a cast that stars Mary Bevan and the “ravishing” countertenor Aryreh Nussbaum Cohen. Handel at the top of his game – back in the West End after 314 years!