Claire Ward on Handel’s Europe

Soprano Claire Ward has programmed a beautiful concert to begin City Music Foundation’s 2023 lunchtime concert series with 2022 CMF Artists at the heart of the music-making. Claire and a baroque ensemble (Maxim del Mar violin, Miriam Nohl cello and Kristiina Watt theorbo) will take the audience on a tour round Handel’s Europe at 1pm on Wednesday 18th January. Heard in the stunning Great Hall at Barts Heritage, this is a chance to hear some of their favourite Handel songs in a historic location.

We caught up with Claire to find out a little bit more about what is on the programme:

“I have loved Handel’s German Arias for a long time and am so looking forward to performing them. I was initially drawn in by the poetry; texts by poet Barthold Heinrich Brockes, which explore Creation. The poet encourages us to stop obsessing over the minutiae of our everyday lives, and instead use nature to help us focus on the bigger picture. We’re presenting a selection of the works in a smaller format, offering more simplicity and scope for reflection. It was the wonderful Kristiina Watt on theorbo who introduced me to the fiery Spanish Cantata No Se Emendará Jamás, and as a fan of the French language, I was delighted to discover that Handel also wrote a cantata in French, ‘Sans y penser’. The French and Spanish Cantatas are both outpourings of tumultuous love. I thought these would offer a fun contrast to the peace we find in the German texts.”

You can hear Claire, Maxim, Miriam and Kristiina performing on Wednesday 18th January at 1pm. Tickets will be available on the door.