The Little Baroque Company to perform

Called one of the most promising young ensembles of their generation, the group gets ready to play Sydney.

The Little Baroque Company, a multi-national London-based ensemble specialising in 17th and 18th century music, will be in Sydney for two special performances at the Sydney Opera House. The company is known for their expert use of instruments from the period and for delivering powerful, memorable performances. Lead by Australian violinist Helen Kruger, the Little Baroque Company is a regular fixture at the London Handel Festival. The company has toured France, Spain, Scotland and Ireland to critical acclaim. Their debut recording with English soprano Julia Doyle will be released later this year.

Theatre-goers will be treated to Swedish soprano Maria Keohane and founding member Catherine Mackintosh. Keohane specialises in a wide spectrum of musical styles from the baroque to the contemporary. Keohane is one of the finest voices in the world, performing as a soloist with Jerome Coreas, Eric Ericson, Marin Gester, Roy Goodman Andrew Parrott & Andrew Manze. Mackintosh was a concertmaster of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, leader of the Purcell Quartet and the Academy of Ancient Music. During her pioneering and illustrious career, she made countless best-selling recordings for Decca. Her extensive discography includes over 40 CDs with the Purcell Quartet (Chandos), Bach sonatas with Maggie Cole (Chandos), and Vivaldi viola d’amore concerts (OAE/Hyperion).

Mackintosh and Keohane will be joining The Little Baroque Company for their first Australian tour, performing two different performances over two evenings at the Sydney Opera House.

The first, If Music be the Food of Love, has been billed as a sumptuous feast of Purcell and Handel. The program includes Henry Purcell's The Plaint, as well as Fantasia in three parts on a grand bass and other selections. George Frideric Handel's work will include Un pensiero Nemico Di Pace and Dopo Notte, Atra e Funesta.

If Music be the Food of Love will be performed at Sydney Opera House's Utzon Room
 on Tuesday 28 February at 7pm
.

The ensemble’s second performance, Il Furore!, will be comprise a selection of music by Antonio Vivaldi. The programme includes La Tempesta Di Mare and Sum in Medio Tempestatum, among other selections.

Il Furore! will be performed at Sydney Opera House’s Utzon Room
 on Monday 27 February at 6.45pm.

For tickets visit sydneyoperahouse.com.

For more in The Little Baroque Company visit littlebaroqueco.com.