English Baroque Soloists
The English Baroque Soloists seeks to challenge preconceptions of 200 years of music ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart and Haydn.
Equally at home in chamber, symphonic and operatic performances, their distinctively warm and incisive playing is instantly recognisable.
One of the world’s leading period instrument orchestras, the ensemble has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Sydney Opera House.
In December 2024 the EBS will perform Bach and Charpentier with the Monteverdi Choir on a European tour to La Scala Milan, Alte Oper Frankfurt, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and at our London home at St Martin-in-the-Fields. The tour will be conducted by renowned French Baroque specialist Christophe Rousset, making his MCO debut.
In March and July 2024 the EBS joined the Monteverdi Choir for performances of Handel’s biblical oratorio Israel in Egypt, conducted by Peter Whelan. As well as a performance at St Martin-in-the-Fields, this programme toured to the Palau de la Música Barcelona, Philharmonie Luxembourg, Chapelle Royale Château de Versailles, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, and Haus für Mozart Salzburg.
In 2023 the EBS and the Monteverdi Choir, conducted by Dinis Sousa, performed Bach’s Mass in B minor, as well as Handel’s pastoral ode L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, on their American tour in October following a European tour of Bach’s monumental work in April. In May the EBS and the Monteverdi Choir were honoured to perform at the Coronation of HM The King.
The ensemble famously took part in the iconic Bach Cantata Pilgrimage in 2000 alongside the Monteverdi Choir, performing all of Bach’s sacred cantatas throughout Europe.
Founded in 1978 by John Eliot Gardiner, the EBS has also participated in major opera productions alongside the Choir in works by Handel, Purcell and Monteverdi, and recorded Mozart’s greatest operas for Deutsche Grammophon in the 1990s.
“The orchestral playing was buoyant as well as sensitive.” – The Observer ★★★★★
“Tremendous precision and splendour.” – Bachtrack ★★★★★
“Well-nigh perfect in performance.” – The Arts Desk
Patron: HM The King
Trailer - Bach Mass in B minor and Handel l’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato
Bach Mass in B minor - Château de Versailles 2023
Bach St John Passion - April 2021
Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 2