Philippe Jaroussky to perform Handel and Porpora at Le French May

HANDEL VS PORPORA
Philippe Jaroussky and the Venice Baroque Orchestra

Celebrated French countertenor Philippe Jaroussky and the Venice Baroque Orchestra are teaming up for a programme of baroque opera arias and instrumental interludes at this year's Le French May.

Presented by artists with well-established names in the genre, an authoritative, authentic and highly appealing evening is guaranteed.

Jaroussky comes equipped with a broad repertoire spanning the 17th and 18th centuries and a remarkable technical control that can service the notes with either machine-gun rapidity or the subtlest nuances. As recently put it: "There are countertenors, and then there is Mr Jaroussky." Fans of his discography and generous YouTube appearances will be champing at the bit to hear his artistry.

Behind every superb soloist, however, there usually stands an impressive band; in this case, the Venice Baroque Orchestra. The ensemble's fine reputation stems from a combination of the virtuosic abilities of its individual players and the scholarly research it has deployed in the rediscovery of old masterpieces.