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Radio 3 at the Summer Festivals

Catherine Bott presents the opening concert of the Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music 2009 from St John's, Smith Square in London, featuring a performance of Handel's Athalia, a work which has been called the first great English oratorio. It is performed by German period forces of Concerto Koln and the Balthasar-Neumann-Chor, conducted by the festival's music director Ivor Bolton.

Athalia tells the story of the tyrannical Old Testament Queen Athalia and her jealous fears of a boy who turns out to be the rightful king.

Athalia ...... Simone Kermes (soprano)
Joad ...... Iestyn Davies (countertenor)
Josabeth ...... Sarah Fox (soprano)
Mathan ...... James Gilchrist (tenor)
Abner ...... Neal Davies (bass)
Joas ...... Johannette Zomer (soprano)
Balthasar-Neumann-Chor
Concerto Koln
Ivor Bolton (conductor)

Followed by a focus on music inspired by verse as part of Radio 3's Poetry Season. With poetry by way of the French genre of 'melodie', the equivalent of the German lied, as countertenor Philippe Jaroussky performs songs by Reynaldo Hahn. The singer is accompanied by a chamber ensemble with Jerome Ducros on piano, Renaud Capucon on violin, Gautier Capucon on cello and Emmanuel Pahud on flute.

Reinaldo Hahn: L’heure exquise
Philippe Jaroussky, counter-tenor
Jeróme Ducros, piano
From the CD OPIUM – Melodies Francaises
VIRGIN CLASSICS 216621 2