Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Get closer to the experience intended by the composers themselves
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The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment makes old music new, playing instruments and using techniques from the period in which the music was written.
‘Britain’s indisputably best period instrument ensemble’
The Independent
The OAE isn’t an attempt to recreate the past, but to use historic information to create something that’s exciting now.
Autumn/Winter 2026/27
The Girl from Arles
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Sir Mark Elder conductor
cast to be announced
Repertoire
Bizet: L'Arlésienne - melodrama (original version) (Staged production, performed in English)
Christmas Oratorio: Parts 1 – 3
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Václav Luks conductor
Sofia Kirwan-Baez soprano
Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano
Guy Cutting tenor
Florian Störtz bass
Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Repertoire
Zelenka: Credo from Missa Omnium Sanctorum, ZWV.21
Bach: Cantata 1 (Jauchzet, frohlocket, auf, preiset die Tage)
Interval
Bach: Cantata 2 (Und es waren Hirten in derselben Gegend); Cantata 3 (Herrscher des Himmels, erhöre das Lallen) from Christmas Oratorio. Performed in German, with surtitles.
Christmas Oratorio: Parts 4 – 6
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Václav Luks conductor
Sofia Kirwan-Baez soprano
Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano
Guy Cutting tenor
Florian Störtz bass
Choir of the Age of Enlightenment
Repertoire
Zelenka: Statio quadruplex for Processione Theophorica, ZWV 158
Bach: Cantata 4 (Fallt mit Danken, fallt mit Loben)
Interval
Bach: Cantata 5 (Ehre sei dir, Gott, gesungen); Cantata 6 (Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben) from Christmas Oratorio. Performed in German, with surtitles.
A Viennese House Party
Performers
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Matthew Truscott director, violin
Jane Gower bassoon
Repertoire
Mozart: Menuetto (2nd movement) from String Quartet in B flat, K.458 (Hunt); Overture, The Marriage of Figaro
Dittersdorf: Symphony in C (The Four Ages of the World)
Vanhal: Bassoon Concerto in C
Interval
Mozart: Serenade in D, K.239 (Serenata notturna)
Haydn: Symphony No.101 (The Clock)