Concert: Sonic Threads
An evening of eighteenth century music and readings.
Sonic Threads: A Fever Dream
"But the remedy, which of all others bids fairest to relieve the patient is musick: As it awakes the attention in the most agreeable manner, and relieves the anxious mind…”
Reflections on ancient and modern musick with the application to the cure of diseases (Richard Brocklesby, 1749)
Join us in the candlelit Great Hall of the historic North Wing for an evening of eighteenth century music and readings. Featuring music by Handel, Purcell and their contemporaries, readings from historic medical treatises and texts created in workshops at St Bart's Hospital.
With mezzo-soprano Joanna Harries ("emotional force" - The Times) and Ensemble Augelletti ("elegant pathos and rip-roaring technical dexterity" - The Arts Desk).
Programme includes:
- Purcell - Music for a while
- Purcell - I attempt from love's sickness to fly
- Handel - Süße Stille (Neun Deutsche Arien)
- Handel - Pensieri notturne di Fille
- Handel - Oh sleep, why dost thou leave me? (Semele)
- Handel - As with rosy steps (Theodora)
- Anon attr. Pergolesi - Nina
- Purcell - Two in One Upon a Ground (Dioclesian)
- Purcell - music from The Fairy Queen
Joanna Harries – mezzo-soprano
Praised for her “stylish” singing (Opera Magazine) and the “emotional force” (The Times) of her performances, mezzo-soprano Joanna Harries was a Young Artist at the National Opera Studio. Recent performances include Puccini’s La Rondine with Opera Rara and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican, Mozart’s Requiem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall and Wonderland with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican.
She is a City Music Foundation artist and a previous Britten-Pears Artist and Handel House Artist. Her debut song album Letters from Scandinavia with pianist Sholto Kynoch was released in 2025 and described as "Vivid storytelling...meticulously researched and brilliantly executed." (BBC Radio 3 Record Review) and “an unusual and enchanting thing” (Gramophone).
Ensemble Augelletti
Ensemble Augelletti are known for their innovative and engaging programmes, and performances that demonstrate an ‘equal capacity for elegant pathos and rip-roaring technical dexterity.' (The Arts Desk, 2024).
Ensemble Augelletti are BBC New Generation Baroque Ensemble (2023-25) and City Music Foundation Artists (2024-26). Performing regularly on BBC Radio 3 and in arts festivals across the UK, they were finalists of the York International Young Artist Competition and released their debut CD in 2022.
Image credit: Benjamin Ealovega
An evening of eighteenth century music and readings.
Sonic Threads: A Fever Dream
"But the remedy, which of all others bids fairest to relieve the patient is musick: As it awakes the attention in the most agreeable manner, and relieves the anxious mind…”
Reflections on ancient and modern musick with the application to the cure of diseases (Richard Brocklesby, 1749)
Join us in the candlelit Great Hall of the historic North Wing for an evening of eighteenth century music and readings. Featuring music by Handel, Purcell and their contemporaries, readings from historic medical treatises and texts created in workshops at St Bart's Hospital.
With mezzo-soprano Joanna Harries ("emotional force" - The Times) and Ensemble Augelletti ("elegant pathos and rip-roaring technical dexterity" - The Arts Desk).
Programme includes:
- Purcell - Music for a while
- Purcell - I attempt from love's sickness to fly
- Handel - Süße Stille (Neun Deutsche Arien)
- Handel - Pensieri notturne di Fille
- Handel - Oh sleep, why dost thou leave me? (Semele)
- Handel - As with rosy steps (Theodora)
- Anon attr. Pergolesi - Nina
- Purcell - Two in One Upon a Ground (Dioclesian)
- Purcell - music from The Fairy Queen
Joanna Harries – mezzo-soprano
Praised for her “stylish” singing (Opera Magazine) and the “emotional force” (The Times) of her performances, mezzo-soprano Joanna Harries was a Young Artist at the National Opera Studio. Recent performances include Puccini’s La Rondine with Opera Rara and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at The Barbican, Mozart’s Requiem with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Cadogan Hall and Wonderland with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican.
She is a City Music Foundation artist and a previous Britten-Pears Artist and Handel House Artist. Her debut song album Letters from Scandinavia with pianist Sholto Kynoch was released in 2025 and described as "Vivid storytelling...meticulously researched and brilliantly executed." (BBC Radio 3 Record Review) and “an unusual and enchanting thing” (Gramophone).
Ensemble Augelletti
Ensemble Augelletti are known for their innovative and engaging programmes, and performances that demonstrate an ‘equal capacity for elegant pathos and rip-roaring technical dexterity.' (The Arts Desk, 2024).
Ensemble Augelletti are BBC New Generation Baroque Ensemble (2023-25) and City Music Foundation Artists (2024-26). Performing regularly on BBC Radio 3 and in arts festivals across the UK, they were finalists of the York International Young Artist Competition and released their debut CD in 2022.
Image credit: Benjamin Ealovega
Good to know
Highlights
- 1 hour
- In person
Refund Policy
Location
Barts North Wing
St Bartholomew's Hospital
West Smithfield London EC1A 7BE
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