Combattimento | mosel musikfestival

Night in Gangolf
Program: Handel's London

Baroque music in the here and now

Familiar and unfamiliar works from the baroque music of the 17th and 18th centuries form the core of their repertoire – especially those in which fantasy and movement play a significant role.

The members of Combattimento bring not only their personal solo qualities but also a wealth of knowledge and experience. Together, they form a closely knit ensemble that has been working on a unique sound and a distinct style for many years: energetic, passionate, and stylistically conscious. And they want the audience to be a part of that.

The ensemble Combattimento hopes to be very close to the listeners, bringing classical music to life and making it exciting for them. Together, they will explore: How did the music sound back then? Should it be a bit rougher today? Can it be a little slower? Or even more dynamic? The result: thrilling and energetic concerts that surprise and delight the musicians’ audience.

In Trier's Market and Town Church of St. Gangolf, Combattimento wishes to explore "Handel's London" with the audience: The composer had quickly established a top position in English musical life shortly after his arrival in 1711: operas, oratorios, concerts, sonatas – a steady flow of masterpieces flowed from his pen. “However, this brilliantly shining star for more than forty years overshadowed numerous other fascinating personalities who collaborated with or competed against him in London,” say the musicians of Combattimento about their program. Georg Friedrich Handel’s music was always a reference point for local composers like Avison and Pepusch – but also for a number of famous foreigners who spent an important part of their careers in London, such as Ariosti, Porpora, Bononcini, and de Fesch.

Cynthia Freivogel – Violin
Quirine van Hoek – Violin
Marjolein Dispa – Viola
Diederik van Dijk – Cello
Erik Olsman – Double bass
Sören Leupold – Theorbo
Pieter Dirksen – Harpsichord
Bram Kreeftmeijer – Oboe