Get ready to be swept away by the timeless works of Handel in London this season! From the grandiose Royal Albert Hall to the enchanting Cadogan Hall, these events promise an unforgettable musical journey. Kick off with 'Handel’s Messiah' by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields at the BBC Proms, move through a candlelit 'Four Seasons', and soak in the majestic 'Coronation Anthems' and 'Gloria'. Don't miss the festive 'Macmillan Carol Concert', another rendition of 'Messiah', and end the year with 'Candlelit Carols'. Each event highlights Handel's genius, making it a feast for every classical music lover.

Experience Handel's Masterpieces in London: From the Royal Albert Hall to Cadogan Hall

Prepare yourself for an unparalleled musical journey with the Academy of Ancient Music as they present a series of exceptional events that celebrate the timeless works of classical music's greatest composers. From the virtuosic symphonies of Mozart and Haydn to the epic brilliance of Handel's Messiah, this season promises to enchant and inspire. Highlights include unique performances in historic venues, showcasing renowned artists like Laurence Cummings, Nigel Short, and Cody Quattlebaum, as they bring the passion and grandeur of 18th-century symphonic genius to life. Join us for this captivating celebration of music and culture.

A Musical Odyssey: Celebrating Iconic Composers & Timeless Masterpieces

Step into a world where musical legacies intertwine with cultural exchange. As the 18th century unfolded, the music scene in Britain and beyond was a vibrant tapestry of influences and innovations. From the Italian legacies of Geminiani to the transatlantic voyages of Haydn and the intricate artistry of Bach, these events celebrate the enduring spirit of musical exploration and creativity. Join us as we delve into three captivating events at the University of Cambridge, where the Academy of Ancient Music brings these timeless compositions to life.

Exploring Musical Legacies: Italian Influences and Transatlantic Masters

Join the Academy of Ancient Music on a captivating journey through the rich tapestry of classical music. From Bach's timeless concertos to Beethoven's thundering symphonies, each performance promises an unforgettable exploration of musical genius. With performances spread across iconic venues in the United Kingdom, the Academy showcases a series of concerts featuring esteemed artists and compositions that have shaped the world of music. Dive into the world of historical and vibrant sounds, where each event brings its own unique flavor and emotional depth.

A Journey Through Time with Academy of Ancient Music

Join the Academy of Ancient Music on a captivating journey as they bring to life the remarkable works of classical geniuses across eight distinct events. From Bach's extraordinary Violin Concertos to Handel's power-packed operas and Monteverdi’s passionate madrigals, each event promises a rich tapestry of sound that echoes through time. With an ensemble of adept artists such as Laurence Cummings, Bojan Čičić, and Christoph Sietzen, these performances are set to illuminate the grandeur of classical music and its enduring legacy.

Embark on a Timeless Musical Journey with the Academy of Ancient Music

They knew how to party in 18th century Paris. The son of an enslaved woman becomes a master-musician – and proves as brilliant with a violin as he is with a sword. A French super-orchestra commissions an explosive new symphony from the far side of Europe. And the young Mozart tells a tale of soldiers, shepherdesses and – of course – love.

Haydn in Paris

Milton Court Concert Hall

Paris in the 1780s was the musical centre of Europe. Academy of Ancient Music plays showpieces by Mozart, Haydn and the Chevalier de Saint-Georges: three geniuses on the edge of a volcano.

On a magical island, a young hero makes sweet music with a beautiful sorceress. In old Vienna, a veteran composer encounters a fabulous new instrument – and finds he’s young again. And Ludwig van Beethoven hears the thunder of Fate itself, in a symphony that echoes down the centuries.

Sounds extraordinary? Well, that’s the thing with AAM: we’re all about the adventure; taking you to times and places where the sounds are elegant but the emotions run wild. A sparkling trumpet concerto, the world’s most famous symphony and a woman of genius from 18th-century Denmark: we’ll meet them all. Expect tenderness, rage and unbridled joy.

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Beethoven's Fifth Symphony

Barbican Centre

AAM leader Bojan Čičić takes us on a return trip to baroque Italy, in this celebration of the Italian concerto in all its wildly entertaining forms – from Vivaldi’s Venice to the splendour of Rome.

The Art of the Italian Concerto

St James' Church, Chipping Campden

Bach meant The Art of Fugue to be the pinnacle of his life’s work: an unparalleled feat of craft, intelligence and sheer joy in the act of creation. In this intimate, inquisitive piece of music theatre, Bach’s work and legacy springs to witty, touching, sometimes startling life, all illuminated by that astonishing music.

Bach's The Art of Fugue

University of Cambridge

Alongside the concertos in A minor and E major, AAM presents an audacious reconstruction of BWV1052, better known as the Harpsichord Concerto in D minor. Seldom performed, this concerto is simply extraordinary and not to be missed.

Bach’s Violin Concertos

St George's Bristol

University of York

Malvern Theatres

When Haydn travelled to London, his friend Mozart worried that it might be a journey too far. But the 18th century classical tradition didn’t end at the shores of Europe, and on the far side of the Atlantic, Mauricio Nunes Garcia was creating music of genius – and rising to become one of the brightest stars in Brazilian and Portuguese music.

Transatlantic: Classical Masters

The music scene in 18th century Britain was a place where everything was up for grabs. A nation was remaking its identity – embracing global fashions and diverse cultures, and locked in passionate debate about its relationship with Europe. English composers wrote Italian operas, the spirit of Shakespeare met the inspiration of Corelli and Vivaldi, and Bach’s youngest son carved out a musical niche that was entirely his own.

Italian Legacies: Geminiani & his English contemporaries

With some pieces, the name is enough. Handel’s Messiah is practically a national institution, and one of those rare works of art that transcends time, place and even musical genre. But Laurence Cummings and Academy of Ancient Music take it back to its source, using the sort of musical forces that maybe – just maybe – Handel himself might have recognised.

Handel's Messiah

With some pieces, the name is enough. Handel’s Messiah is practically a national institution, and one of those rare works of art that transcends time, place and even musical genre. But who better to propel us into the Christmas season than Nigel Short’s vocal group, Tenebrae? Bringing their famed precision, panache and beauty of sound to Handel’s biblical epic is a thrilling prospect. Messiah is driven forward at pace by its wonderful choral writing, including, of course, that chorus.

Saffron Hall

‘The greatest composer known to me, either in person, or by reputation.’ Joseph Haydn never stopped admiring his younger friend Mozart: but the pair shared many musical friendships, and one day in Vienna in 1784 they came together with two of the finest composers of the age for one of the most extraordinary musical gatherings of all time.

Viennese Virtuosity: symphonies by Mozart, Haydn & friends

In the world of baroque opera, the impossible comes as standard. Deep in the forest, a huntsman surprises a naked goddess – and finds himself transformed from hunter into prey. A sculptor falls in love with his own beautiful creation; but this time, the gods are smiling and even cold stone can conceal a passionate heart.

Charpentier’s Actéon & Rameau’s Pygmalion

Expect creative sparks to fly as period instruments are joined with percussion for virtuosic arrangements of music spanning nearly 600 years – by JS Bach, Geminiani, Xenakis, Weiss and others – all presented with the trademark energy and effervescence for which both artists are renowned.

Christoph Sietzen & AAM

Museum Ludwig

Laurence Cummings and Academy of Ancient Music perform Handel’s Messiah – a Christmas tradition we’ve made our own.

Academy of Ancient Music performs Monteverdi’s genre-defying Madrigals of Love and War. Unrequited passion has never sounded sweeter.

Songs of Love & War

Enjoy the delicate flight of angels in works by Sir James MacMillan and Dame Judith Weir, and Caroline Shaw’s haunting To the Hands, which brings the sacred sounds of Grigorian chant to a piece about Jesus’ crucified hands.

Howells’ Hymnus Paradisi

Elegance, exuberance, and one remarkable woman: Academy of Ancient Music travels to Georgian London and the lost world of musical innovator Elisabetta da Gambarini.

Gambarini: English Impresaria

Leipzig’s got talent: in 1723 Bach competed for one of Germany’s top musical jobs. Today, Laurence Cummings and Academy of Ancient Music reveal exactly what he was up against.

The Chosen One

Academy of Ancient Music joins The Wave Quartet in an ingenious, audacious musical voyage across five centuries.
Centuries pass, but artistry is forever, and whether it’s 1726 or 2026, there’s nothing to match the voltage generated by a virtuoso performer at the absolute peak of their game. In this extraordinary, genre-crossing collaboration AAM meets marimba phenomenon Christoph Sietzen and his Wave Quartet. Sparks will fly.

Rhythm Across Time

Laurence Cummings directs Academy of Ancient Music and a world-class cast in a concert performance of Serse – Handel’s sensational opera of love and power in ancient Persia.

Academy of Ancient Music

Dec 15, 2025

Handel's Messiah

Feb 12, 2026

Songs of Love & War

Feb 26, 2026

Howells’ Hymnus Paradisi

Mar 12, 2026

Gambarini: English Impresaria

Apr 16, 2026

The Chosen One

Nov 14, 2025

Haydn in Paris

Nov 14, 2025

Haydn in Paris

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