THE ENGLISH CONCERT is among the finest chamber orchestras in the world, with an unsurpassed reputation for inspiring performances of Baroque and Classical music in the concert hall and on CD. Based in London, the orchestra presents an annual season there, in addition to extensive touring. In 2007 Harry Bicket became the orchestra’s Artistic Director, following in the steps of Andrew Manze and their founder Trevor Pinnock.

Recent and future solo collaborators with the orchestra include singers David Daniels, Ian Bostridge, and Alice Coote, and instrumentalists Fabio Biondi, Kristian Bezuidenhout, and Maurice Steger. The ensemble also works with guest director-harpsichordists, including Laurence Cummings, Kenneth Weiss, and Mahan Esfahani. Future plans feature Handel operas-in-concert in the United States and Europe, and operas by Gluck with the Theater an der Wien in Vienna.

The English Concert’s recordings include many prize-winners; most recently, As Steals the Morn, a CD of Handel arias with tenor Mark Padmore, received a 2008 BBC Music Magazine Award. Recent releases include acclaimed recital discs with Ian Bostridge and Elizabeth Watts, whose recording of Bach Cantatas with Harry Bicket was chosen as “CD of the Month” by Gramophone Magazine. Future releases include recordings with Danielle de Niese and Lucy Crowe.