Home | Linden Baroque Orchestra

Welcome to the world of Linden Baroque!

Our next concerts:
Dec 6th 7pm State Hall, Heathfield, East Sussex

Handel Messiah with Heathfield Choral Society
tickets here

Feb 22nd 6:30pm St Stephens, Hampstead

A Concert with the 'Gloriana - Women in Harmony'
Music from the Venetian orphanages to the Court of Dresden by Vivaldi, Porpora, Ferandini, Hasse, Locatelli, Zelenka and Venturini

The busy orphanages for girls in 17th and 18th century Venice were the unfortunate outcome of the widespread prostitution and poverty. Whereas boys could find work, girls were economically disadvantaged and often baby girls would be drowned in the canals. The orphanages accepted infants pushed through a narrow window.

The four Ospedali Grandi , of which Vivaldi's Pietà is best known, each had an orchestra and choir of girls and many fine soloists, famously entertaining tourists from behind a screened gallery. These orchestras provided much economic activity with many instrument makers and repairers as well as teachers and many Venetian composers, in addition to Vivaldi, wrote music for the girls, such as Porpora and Hasse.

Both later worked in Dresden where that fascinating and highly regarded composer Jan Dismas Zelenka was a prominent member of the court orchestra and later official court composer. As the fashion for Italian music swept across Europe, Italian singers were recruited to Dresden. Faustina, the famous wife of Hasse accompanied him when he was appointed Kapellmeister. Porpora was involved in teaching singers in Dresden - he later went on to teach the young Josef Haydn.

Other composers such as JS Bach and Telemann had strong connections with Dresden, which had become one of the major musical cities.

Our concert - which includes two first modern performances, depicts the musical journey from Venice to Dresden though the following works: Ferrandini Sinfonia Talestri, Porpora Beatus Vir*, Vivaldi Sinfonia RV169 Al Santo Sepulchre, Vivaldi Credo, Vivaldi Concerto for Dresden Orchestra RV577, Venturini Sonata in A major, Hasse Laudate Pueri, Locatelli / Pisendel Concerto Funebre*, Zelenka Per singulos dies, Telemann Conclusion in E minor from Tafelmusik Part 1, Zelenka Nisi Dominus *1st modern performances

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TICKETS Available soon (to include one glass of wine/soft drink and programme) £18 & £13 concessions (unwaged on benefits / Pension Credit recipients). Under 16y free. The concert will last around 1hr 30min with interval. Tickets will be available on door (preferably by card) but best to book online here:

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Dates for your diary -
December 6th Handel 'Messiah' , Heathfield, Sussex,
February 22nd 2026, with the choir of women's voices, Gloriana. St Stephen's, Hampstead
July 19th 2026 St Stephen's Hampstead
October 11th 2026 St Stephen's Hampstead
October 25th 2026 TBA

"Linden Baroque Orchestra’s delightful Heroines in Opera concert last Sunday featured arias from Handel favourites, Giulio Cesare, Alcina and Semele sung exquisitely by young soprano Maryam Wocial. The orchestra’s elegant and sensitive accompaniments allowed Maryam’s glowing voice to bring life to Handel’s heroines in various states of frustration, despair and bliss. I was entranced. Offsetting the vocal offerings was the finely played Handel Concerto Grosso No. 6, which was unfamiliar but very engaging. And the January chill was mitigated with most welcome mulled wine. Altogether a treat. CK - Audience member, January 2025

Recently gone:

- October 12th - 'The Birth of the Symphony' - Three amazing symphonies at the crossover from baroque to the early stages of the classical era; by Beck, Holzbauer and CPE Bach with a delightful Boccherini flute quintet and an overture by Duchess Anna Amalia.

- June 22nd - 'Viva Barocco Italiano!' - The Italian influence on British Music of the 18th century - Veracini, Vivaldi, Geminiani, Avison, Sammartini with soloists Josephine Shaw (sop) and Ashley Solomon (recorder).

Details of all our past concerts in 'Performances'

Our Musical Director

Our Musical Director is Ashley Solomon, the well-loved flautist and recorder player, director of Florilegium and Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music, where he has been a Professor since 1994. He is both a Fellow of the Royal College of Music (FRCM) and Royal Academy of Music (FRAM) in recognition of his outstanding services to music.

We feel very honoured that Ashley has agreed to take this position, which will help us develop the orchestra over a longer period.

Here is a fascinating recent interview made with Continuo Connect

Reviews from a recent concert (Feb 2023):

5/5 This was a most delightful evening. This is a beautiful church which is now used for concerts and private events. Very welcoming staff. I was glad I arrived early as the church soon became full. Wonderful music played by an amazing orchestra which included 3 oboes and bassoon and a harpsichord. The 1st violin, Maxim del Mar, was brilliant, playing such difficult pieces in the Hellendaal Concerto. They all stood for the entire concert…no mean feat but it meant we could all watch them playing! One of the best things about this concert was the fabulous detailed programme notes. It was a great evening, especially as there was no interval to break the mood. I will definitely follow this orchestra and hope to attend the next concert (DB)

5/5 Another very enjoyable concert by the Linden Baroque Orchestra. I found a seat in the front row within almost inches of the violins. Great fun and good listening in such a big space. Do appreciate the programme. It is both pretty and full of valuable information. Looking forward to the next concert in May. (KC)

I take this opportunity to say the concert was so enjoyable, thank you so much. We will be there for the one in May! I wish i had known of your concerts earlier! The atmosphere was very relaxed which is welcoming, the program notes and Mr.Solomon’s words where fun and interesting, with details i have not come across before. The program choice was inspired and i enjoyed listening to all, particularly the absolutely marvellous sound of the first viola, the velvet quality of that sound was gorgeous. We will repeat. (MGS)

5/5 This was a very enjoyable concert held in a very interesting church, with excellent printed programme provided. Pleasant helpers and refreshments. (CS)

5/5 Beautiful music. Very talented musicians. Lovely graphic design advertising event and programme. (CH)

Great concert. Just moved in area

and from the previous concert:

5/5 "Beautiful high class music and singing.Wonderful evening."

4/5 "Beautiful early music, beautifully performed by dedicated musicians of the genre."

5/5 "Greatly enjoyed hearing and seeing the Linden Baroque Orchestra again at St Stephens church being it has been four years since I last attended one of their concerts there. It seemed wonderfully personal being that we, the audience were so close to the musicians and the Leader/Director spoke to us sharing information about planning the concert etc. The theme of the concert, Pastoral Pleasures, was enhanced by the singing of Philippa Hyde. Thanks too for all the information in the program about the composers and the musicians.”

4/5 "A varied programme beautifully performed by the Linden Baroque orchestra and soprano Phillippa Hyde.”

This was our last concert in the summer

The first time we'd met since March 2020, for a 'play-day', happily directed by our founder, Maestro Paul Goodwin, on a rare break (between Israel and the US) in his busy international conducting schedule. We were also delighted to welcome back Julia Bishop to lead.

Our current main venue, St Stephen's, Hampstead

Some happy news
One of our fine cellists, Christine Draycott (you'll remember her beautiful continuo performances in the Bach Passions, including our last concert before lockdown), recently completed an historic aeronautical achievement, becoming the first civilian pilot to pass the exacting military flying instructors' course. Described as a "monumental task " it was only previously attempted by experienced military pilots. Having flown commercial airliners, she now instructs RAF pilots in the Grob training aircraft. Previously Christine played cello professionally with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. What a talented person! We wish her happy landings and a return to Linden when she is able.

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Ideal companions for a good evening out perhaps?
(a window from Islington's Union Chapel)