Tuesday 1 March 2016

Handel and Margherita Durastanti - a musical marriage

We've just finished the first stage of a new project, working on a musical 'biography' of Margherita Durastanti. If the name seems unfamiliar, that's because she has been largely forgotten since disappearing from London musical life in 1734. Durastanti was, however, the singer who had the longest working relationship with Handel, spanning almost 30 years, and several countries.

The Band's project, with wonderful soprano Nicki Kennedy, included a live broadcast for Radio 3's In Tune, a concert at The Chapel Series in Norwich, and a performance at London's St. John's Smith Square.

We were grateful to Handel Hendrix London for the use of suitably Handelian rehearsal space too. We couldn't help taking advantage of the costumes on offer to 'spice' up the rehearsal...

Robert Hugill gave the concert a 5 star review.