★★★★★ THE TIMES Primed and polished over a sequence of concert performances in New York, Vienna and Hamburg, Harry Bicket and the English Concert’s Ariodante was fuelled by female energy.

★★★★★ THE INDEPENDENT “In Bicket’s finely-judged calibrations each orchestral gesture was crisply defined, every fragile nuance allowed to breathe. Next March comes Rinaldo. Book now.”

★★★★★ BACHTRACK “The English Concert led by Harry Bicket committed to perform Handel’s operas, gave a ravishing and sentimental performance together with the soloists on top form at the Elbphilharmonie.” [translated from German]

★★★★★ MUSIC OMH “The English Concert, directed from the harpsichord by Harry Bicket, delivered playing of a copybook standard throughout this concert performance of one of Handel’s best loved operas”

★★★★ THE FINANCIAL TIMES The English Concert was conducted from the harpsichord by Harry Bicket, less aggressively dynamic than some of his Handelian rivals, but sure of touch and able to get high-class playing from his musicians. It is good to see that Handel can still draw a full house

★★★★ THE EVENING STANDARD “Perplexing yet glorious, every life-enhancing minute of it”

★★★★ THE ARTS DESK “The solo line-up may have been starry, but the hero of this Ariodante was the orchestra.”

★★★★ BACHTRACK “For the instrumentalists it was another matter, and all power to 21-strong English Concert for not wilting as they turned in a probing, exultant and musically tireless performance”

★★★★ PLANET HUGILL “And the band were terrific: filthy brass playing, unsettling syncopations and perfection in the orchestral entr’actes.”

SEEN AND HEARD INTERNATIONAL “It was quite an achievement to have one wishing for more after a long evening of Handel, but Bicket and his forces managed it. Superb.”

SUNDAY TIMES “Bicket’s band is in its element in this repertoire” 

CLASSICAL SOURCE “Leading from the harpsichord, Harry Bicket brought out the temper and rhythm of each number without fuss but with close attention to the music that allowed the singers freedom to develop their dramatic roles through their singing and their actions.”