The English Concert

The English Concert is an outstanding orchestra: exceptional, in the world-renowned quality, ambition, and variety of its live and recorded output; unique, in the zeal of its players for working and performing together; unwavering, in its desire to connect with its audience throughout the world.

Under the artistic direction of Harry Bicket and principal guest director K­ristian Bezui­denhout, The English Concert has earned a reputation for combining urgency, passion, and fire with precision, delicacy, and beauty. The group’s artistic partners reflect and enhance the members’ pursuit for new ways to bring their music to life.

Joyce DiDonato, Dame Sarah Connolly, Iestyn Davies, Alison Balsom, Trevor Pinnock, Dominic Dromgoole, Tom Morris and many others have not only brought their extraordinary skills to individual projects, but continue to help shape the way the group performs. One cornerstone of the orchestra’s annual cycle is its international Handel opera series. Blossoming from an ongoing relationship with Carnegie Hall, touring regularly takes the ensemble to an ever-increasing number of the world’s great concert halls, from Theater an der Wien and

Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, to Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and London’s Barbican. Meanwhile, its regular London series allows the musicians to explore a radically different path, presenting programs to its home audience that continue to challenge and inspire.

The English Concert is the orchestra-in-residence at Garsington Opera.