Sunday 11 May 2025, 2:30pm
Trinity College, Oxford
Book now: History’s Lovers at Trinity College Oxford

Telemann: Suite Don Quixote 

Arias from Handel Alcina: Di’ cor mio, Ah, mio cor, schernito sei, Ah! Ruggiero crudel!..Ombre pallide

Interval

Arias from Handel Rodelinda: Overture, Ritorna o caro, Se’l mio duol non é si forte    

Telemann Orpheus Suite, Su mio core al la vendetta

Featuring:
David Bates, Director
Samantha Clarke, Soprano

Georg Philipp Telemann and Georg Frederick Handel, two giants of Baroque music, were German teenagers when they met. Life separated them thereafter, Handel eventually moving to England and becoming the key figure in London’s musical life in the first half of the 18th century. Telemann stayed put and, after famously turning down the post at St Thomas Church in Leipzig leaving it to be filled by Johann Sebastian Bach, remained in Hamburg. Handel and Telemann remained friends and kept in touch throughout their life. Part of the Trinity Recitals in May 2025, this programme contrasts some of their greatest music. Suites from Telemann’s Don Quixote and Orpheus frame some of Handel’s most beautiful and powerful arias from his operas Alicina and Rodelinda sung by the wonderful soprano, Samantha Clarke.