Collegium Vocale Gent - Freiburger Barockorchester - Marcus Creed

Although the music of Georg Friedrich Händel (1685-1759) was originally embedded in the Northern German style - he was born in Halle - he managed to adapt the Italian style during his many travels. He met the greatest masters of the 'maniera'; among them were Archangelo Corelli, Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti. Händel's instrumental compositions and orchestral works are permeated by the structure of Corelli's concerti grossi. The combination of these Italian influences with a natural melodic grandeur made Händel a famous man. In 1710, he was appointed Kapellmeister to the court of George I of Hanover, the later King of England. With Rinaldo (1711), Händel established the Italian opera in London. Even more than Johann Sebastian Bach - equally inspired by the Italians - Händel was responsible for the dissemination of the style throughout Europe. The renowned Freiburger Barockorchester, at this occasion directed by Marcus Creed in collaboration with the Collegium Vocale Gent, are exeedingly qualified to render a fresh approach to Händel's oratoria. Just last season, the ensemble's Rinaldo interpretation, under the direction of René Jacobs, made a lasting impression all over Europe.