Handel and Bach: A Baroque Celebration

Sinfonia Viva present: Handel and Bach: A Baroque Celebration

Derby Cathedral

Wednesday 28 October 2026 | 7pm

Come and experience the Orchestra of the East Midlands under the magnificent installation ‘Helios’

Sophie Rosa | Director/ Violin
Jessica Cale | Soprano

Telemann Overture in D
Handel Let the Bright Seraphim 
Handel Lascia ch’io pianga from Rinaldo
Bach Violin Concerto in A Minor
Handel Overture to Samson
Bach Cantata No. 51
Handel Water Music Suite No. 2

Sound the trumpet! In the baroque era, every concert was a celebration, as composers and performers competed to dazzle, to move, and above all, to entertain their audiences. It was a Europe-wide phenomenon. In Germany, Telemann wrote music to feast by, and his friend Johann Sebastian Bach composed religious music as powerful and as heart-rending as any opera. And here in England, in 1717, King George I simply put an orchestra on a boat and sailed off up the Thames: the ultimate royal pleasure cruise, set to the irrepressible melodies of his favourite composer, George Frederic Handel.

Tonight, Sinfonia Viva remains firmly on dry land, but the music will be shooting for the stars. 309 years on, Handel’s Water Music is as entertaining as ever, and it’s the climax of an evening of baroque music at its most playful, as well as its most profound. In true eighteenth century style, Sinfonia Viva’s leader Sophie Rosa doubles as both conductor and soloist in Bach’s sublime A minor Violin Concerto, and we’re delighted to welcome soprano Jessica Cale – first prize winner of the Kathleen Ferrier Awards – to sing Bach’s jubilant Cantata No.51, as well as two of Handel’s most spectacular showpieces for the human voice. They’re tales of longing, sorrow and glory: a captive princess weeps for her lost love, and a jubilant herald summons angelic trumpeters. Expect big emotions and stirring sounds as Sinfonia Viva invites you to enjoy an evening of music that lights up the sky.

Tickets £35 (seats at the front of the Central Nave)/ £30/ £20/ £5 concessions*

Venue and ticket information:

Tickets
Please note that for this performance we are only the hosting venue and we don’t have any association with the tickets for the event. For any ticket enquiries please contact the event company you purchased the tickets through.

Facilities
There is a licensed bar onsite for the performance, cash and card payments welcome. Please note that your own drinks cannot be brought into the venue. The Cathedral management reserves the right to carry out bag searches at its discretion.

Car parking
The nearest car park to the venue is on St Michaels Lane, DE1 3DQ, and is just £2 to park after 6pm.

Balcony seating
The balcony is not suitable for those with access requirements and limited mobility. Patrons on the front row of the balcony must be 16 years of age and upwards. No under 16s will be permitted to sit on the front row of the balcony. Dancing is prohibited on the balcony. If you’d like to dance, we would encourage you to book a ticket in the nave on the ground floor.

Access seating
The Cathedral has provision for a limited number of wheelchairs in the venue, please speak to the box office selling the tickets before booking seats if you require space for a wheelchair or mobility scooter.