As a hugely successful opera composer, Handel was commissioned by the grandest patrons of the day to bring his theatrical brilliance and flair to important ceremonial occasions – his four coronation anthems, used at the coronation of every monarch since 1727, are the most famous example

ETO’s soloists and period instrument orchestra, the Old Street Band team up with the Gentlemen of the Cathedral’s Choir, Counterpoint and Isca Voices for an evening of Handel's Italian Vespers, staged at Exeter Cathedral. Written during his visit to Italy, when the supremely talented young composer caused a sensation among musicians, poets and Cardinals alike with his dazzling virtuosity, much of the music was written for the festival of the Madonna del Carmine at the Carmelite Church in Rome.

The concert includes Donna che in ciel, written to celebrate the deliverance of Rome from the earthquake of 1703, Il pianto di Maria, an exquisite meditation on the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross, and the extravagant, virtuosic, extrovert and daring choral masterpiece, Dixit Dominus.

www.englishtouringopera.org.uk

Tickets: £20 (rows B-M included); £16 (rows N-Y included); £12 (rows Z-GG included); £10, (unreservd, at the back of the nave, 100 max). Please note: row A will not be available for booking.

Opera Multi-buy: buy 1 opera, get £1 off a Cathedral ticket; buy 2 operas, get £3 off a Cathedral ticket; buy 3 operas, get £5 off a Cathedral ticket.

Tickets: £10 unreserved.

All transactions are subject to a £2 booking fee.

www.exeternorthcott.co.uk