Galakonzert

When Handel settled permanently in London in 1712, the city on the Thames was already one of Europe’s leading musical centres. His work there attracted other composers to the city. He himself, for example, brought Pietro Castrucci to London as one of his most important collaborators. Over the years, however, other cities caught up: from 1733 onwards, the court orchestra in Dresden, shaped by Johann Adolph Hasse, was soon regarded as a model for orchestras around the world. In our Gala Concert, George Petrou introduces us to both Handel’s London associate and his successful Dresden counterpart. The program also features Johann Christian Bach, who, as the “London Bach”, helped shape the city’s musical life in the second half of the 18th century.

Vasilisa Berzhanskaya has enjoyed success at Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Salzburg Festival, the Vienna State Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. George Petrou has already worked with her, at the Arena di Verona in 2024. He admires not only the soprano’s wonderful voice, but above all her unique stage presence. We look forward to her Göttingen debut, featuring arias by Handel and Vivaldi!