“Leeds Baroque Orchestra is a national treasure and one that I whole-heartedly support" -
Dame Evelyn Glennie
Dame Evelyn Glennie
Musical Director - Peter Holman MBE: Chorus Master - Bryan White
Honorary Patron - Sir Alan Langlands
About Us
Leeds Baroque Choir & Orchestra is a period instrument performance group directed by Peter Holman. We specialise in music of the 17th and 18th centuries and give 3 or 4 concerts a year. Find out more...
Our Next Concert
Sunday 12 March 2023 – 3:00pm
Leeds Conservatoire, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD
Leeds Baroque Choir & Orchestra Directed by Peter Holman
Henry Purcell The Indian Queen
Masque of Cupid and Bacchus from Timon of Athens
Soloists: Philippa Hyde soprano Peter Davoren tenor & Stuart O'Hara bass
Henry Purcell’s greatest late theatre work, is based on a tragedy by Sir Robert Howard and John Dryden, originally put on in 1664. It was adapted as a dramatic-opera (a spoken play with elaborate musical interludes) probably by Thomas Betterton in 1695.
The plot depends on the audience knowing little or nothing about the Americas and their history, for it involves accepting that the Inca and Aztec empires in ancient Peru and Mexico are adjacent and at war. It concerns the Aztec queen Zempoalla, and her unrequited love for Montezuma, a warrior of unknown origin; he leads the Incas to victory, only to have his suit for Princess Orazia rejected, whereupon he changes sides. Purcell died before he could complete The Indian Queen, so we conclude the concert with a rare performance of the delightful masque he contributed to Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens, also composed in 1695.
Tickets available NOW Book HERE
Leeds Conservatoire, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD
Leeds Baroque Choir & Orchestra Directed by Peter Holman
Henry Purcell The Indian Queen
Masque of Cupid and Bacchus from Timon of Athens
Soloists: Philippa Hyde soprano Peter Davoren tenor & Stuart O'Hara bass
Henry Purcell’s greatest late theatre work, is based on a tragedy by Sir Robert Howard and John Dryden, originally put on in 1664. It was adapted as a dramatic-opera (a spoken play with elaborate musical interludes) probably by Thomas Betterton in 1695.
The plot depends on the audience knowing little or nothing about the Americas and their history, for it involves accepting that the Inca and Aztec empires in ancient Peru and Mexico are adjacent and at war. It concerns the Aztec queen Zempoalla, and her unrequited love for Montezuma, a warrior of unknown origin; he leads the Incas to victory, only to have his suit for Princess Orazia rejected, whereupon he changes sides. Purcell died before he could complete The Indian Queen, so we conclude the concert with a rare performance of the delightful masque he contributed to Shakespeare’s Timon of Athens, also composed in 1695.
Tickets available NOW Book HERE
STOP PRESS:
Asuka Sumi recital for the New Year
Leeds Lunchtime Chamber Music 2022/2023
4 Jan 2023 at 1:05pm Admission Free The Venue, Leeds Conservatoire, 3 Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7PD Duo Moderno Asuka Sumi – violin and Johan Löfving – theorbo Leeds Baroque's leader Asuka is joined by award winning theorbo player Löfving for a LICS lunchtime recital. More details HERE To encourage an interest in Baroque string repertoire and technique the leader of Leeds Baroque, the noted Japanese violinist, Asuka Sumi is offering students a free afternoon 'taster' session to find our more.
Further details and booking to be announced. 
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See their new wesite HERE Join UsSing or play a Baroque instrument? Contact us if you would like to be considered for a place in the orchestra or choir.
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From the Archives
An enquiry about the foundation of Leeds Baroque sent us back to find images of our early performances - and there are very few.
However we did find this (then non-digital) image taken at the National Centre for Early Music in July 2002. Note the historically informed sepia tint!
If you would like to add to our photo archive and have images of our performance and would like to share them (particularly from early years) please contact the Administrator
Photo Credit: Susan Behrens
An enquiry about the foundation of Leeds Baroque sent us back to find images of our early performances - and there are very few.
However we did find this (then non-digital) image taken at the National Centre for Early Music in July 2002. Note the historically informed sepia tint!
If you would like to add to our photo archive and have images of our performance and would like to share them (particularly from early years) please contact the Administrator
Photo Credit: Susan Behrens