Concerto Copenhagen, Mass in B Minor, music for Charles II: London Festival of Baroque Music returns with Iestyn Davies again as artistic director

The London Festival of Baroque Music at Smith Square Hall, 2025

The London Festival of Baroque Music returns to Smith Square Hall from 24 to 31 October 2026, again with countertenor Iestyn Davies as artistic director. 

The Festival opens with a rare opportunity to hear Concerto Copenhagen in London. Directed by Lars Ulrik Mortensen they present Bach’s Orchestral Suites Nos.1-4, and then the following evening give a chamber concert featuring music by Purcell, Bertali, Biber and Frohberger. 

The Festival closes with La Nuova Musica, conductor David Bates, in Bach’s Mass in B Minor with soloists Lauren Lodge-Campbell, Ana Beard Fernandez, Bethany Horak-Hallett, Laurence Kilsby and Dingle Yandell, and there is also a chance to hear Laurence Kilsby in recital when he joins lutenist Yun Bayeul. And there is further lute action when violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte joins lutenist Thomas Dunford for music for Charles II’s court, whilst soprano Nardus Williams and lutenist Elizabeth Kenny explore the musical expression of melancholy across 16th and 17th century Europe

Other visitors to the festival include Stile Antico, The Curious Bards, Ensemble Théodora and Trio Mediæval, and resident ensemble Sinfonia Smith Square will be presenting a new arrangement of Bach’s Goldberg Variations by Robin O’Neill who also conducts.

Each event will be presented one of three concert settings, including the intimate in-the-round format that captivated audiences last year. 

Further details from Sinfonia Smith Square’s website.