The soprano Cecilia Young was the toast of 18th-century London, receiving high praise from Charles Burney, and chosen by Handel to take leading roles in the first performances of several of his oratorios. The incomparable Dame Emma Kirkby takes on Cecilia's mantle to perform music from Handel's Athalia, Alceste and Alexander's Feast, and works by J.C. Bach and Lampe as well as by Thomas Arne, the hugely successful composer who became Cecilia's husband. Emma Kirkby will be accompanied by the members of the London Handel Players, principal players of the London Handel Orchestra, and among this country's most highly acclaimed musicians.

There will be a pre-concert talk by the eminent Handel scholar Dr Ruth Smith before the concert, at 6.15pm, in Michaelhouse, Trinity Street. She looks at the English words that Handel chose to set, and probes his rivalry with his English counterpart Thomas Arne. Admission to the talk is free for concert ticket holders. The talk is followed by a reception for Festival season ticket holders.  More  »