I think it was Hampton Court Palace where Henry VIII strolled in while we were in the room. But then it was not the real Henry VIII and the room didn't lend itself to intimate music anyway, like that was played in chamber. I think of such things when I hear harpsichord and a solo instrument, or here, voice. Ariana was playing with alto Teresa, starting with Couperin on solo harpsichord then Cesu and Vivaldi, again solo harpsichord by Zipoli then Giacomelli, Conti and Handel to finish. The composers are very Italian or European, other than Handel with his connections with England, and the lyrics were appropriately operatically despairing, of love, delight, dreams, despising, ignited flames, tyrants and the like; and amusingly the aria from the Princess-courtesan declaring love for her idolised long-lost prince who has fainted from her rage. This era was not so simple. Anyway, a lovely outing of period music and operatic emotions and a little amusement for our overly confident era.
Ariana Odermatt (harpsichord) soloed and accompanied Teresa Block (nee Wojcik, mezzo soprano) at Wesley.
