The English Concert — one of Europe’s  leading classical music orchestras — will perform at the Lyric Theatre in Blacksburg, Va., on Oct. 15 at 8 p.m. as part of its recently launched North American tour. The event is co-presented by the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech’s Department of Music in the School of Performing Arts and Cinema.

The English Concert has toured the world for nearly 40 years, sharing its passion for Baroque and Classical music. The group’s performance will feature a set of pieces from Henry Purcell’s “King Arthur” and “The Fairy Queen,” Antonio Vivaldi’s “La Folia” and “Concerto for Two Trumpets,” and Georg Philipp Telemann’s “Tafelmusik” and “Concerto for Viola and Strings.” A total of 13 musicians will take the stage at the Lyric Theatre, including director Harry Bicket, who has worked with some of the biggest names in the world of opera. Bicket will join the group on harpsichord, along with featured soloists Mark Bennet, trumpet; Michael Harrison, trumpet; and Alfonso leal del Ojo, viola.

Watch a clip of a performance from The English Concert.

The English Concert's discography includes more than 100 recordings with Trevor Pinnock for Deutsche Grammophon Archiv, and a series of critically acclaimed CDs for Harmonia Mundi with violinist Andrew Manze. Their first recordings conducted by Harry Bicket — “Bach: Sacred Arias and Cantatas,” with countertenor David Daniels; “Handel Duets,” with soprano Rosemary Joshua and mezzo-soprano Sarah Connolly; and “J. S. Bach Cantatas and Arias,” with soprano Elizabeth Watts — have been widely praised. Forthcoming CDs include recitals with sopranos Lucy Crowe and Daniele de Niese.

Tickets

Tickets are $40 for general public, $34 for seniors, $16 for students and youth 18 years old and under and can be purchased online; at the Lyric Theatre box office, Monday through  Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; or by calling 540-951-4771.

 

 

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