Brilliance of the Baroque
Ying Huang × Harry Bicket & The English Concert
Shanghai Oriental Art Center · Concert Hall · November 8, 2019 · 19:30
Overview
When the radiant lyricism of Ying Huang meets the historically informed artistry of Harry Bicket and The English Concert, the result is an evening of dazzling Baroque brilliance.
Known worldwide as “the Nightingale from China”, soprano Ying Huang joins one of Europe’s finest period ensembles under the baton of its celebrated Artistic Director Harry Bicket, in a program that revives the opulence, emotion, and elegance of 17th- and 18th-century opera.
Together, they bring to life the expressive beauty of Vivaldi, Purcell, Telemann, Handel, and their contemporaries — music that shimmers with pearls of ornamentation, rhythmic vitality, and the intimate warmth of Baroque affect.
Program
Vivaldi — L’Olimpiade Overture, RV 725
Vivaldi — “Sposa, son disprezzata” (Bajazet)
Telemann — Overture Suite “Les Nations” (Volker Overture)
Handel — “Endless Pleasure, Endless Love” (Semele)
Geminiani / Corelli — La Follia
Purcell — Suite from King Arthur (interspersed with songs)
Handel — “Lascia ch’io pianga” (Rinaldo)
Handel — “Se pietà di me non senti” (Giulio Cesare)
Muffat — Passacaglia from Armonico Tributo
Handel — “Mio caro bene” (Rodelinda)
Cesti — “Intorno all’idol mio” (Orontea)
Handel — “Tornami a vagheggiar” (Alcina)
Artists
Harry Bicket — Artistic Director / Conductor
Renowned for his masterful interpretations of Baroque and Classical repertoire, Harry Bicket is the Artistic Director of The English Concert and Music Director of the Santa Fe Opera. Equally respected as conductor and harpsichordist, he is admired for his stylistic clarity, rhythmic elegance, and deep understanding of vocal phrasing. Bicket has conducted major orchestras including the Oslo Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and Hong Kong Philharmonic, and is a leading figure in the Handel renaissance worldwide.
Ying Huang — Soprano
Internationally acclaimed lyric coloratura soprano Ying Huang is celebrated for her crystalline tone, effortless agility, and luminous stage presence. Her artistry bridges East and West — from Baroque opera and bel canto to modern Chinese repertoire — captivating audiences with a rare combination of vocal brilliance and emotional depth. Huang has performed at the world’s foremost opera houses and concert halls, earning praise as “the Nightingale from China” for her pure timbre and expressive grace.
The English Concert
Founded in 1973 by Trevor Pinnock, The English Concert is among Europe’s foremost period-instrument ensembles. Under Harry Bicket’s direction since 2007, the ensemble has brought Handel and Vivaldi to life at the Barbican, Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, and Carnegie Hall, and their extensive discography on Deutsche Grammophon and Harmonia Mundi is celebrated for its clarity, authenticity, and energy. Their performances combine precision, spirit, and a distinctive English warmth that has made the ensemble synonymous with Baroque excellence.
Venue
Shanghai Oriental Art Center · Concert Hall
November 8, 2019 · 19:30