Armida Abbandonata: Cantatas and Other Chamber Works by Handel and Haydn November 2, 2008

Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Houtzeel joins the virtuosic instrumentalists of The Four Nations Ensemble and Opera Lafayette's Artistic Director Ryan Brown on the violin in an all Handel and Haydn program to include the cantatas Armida Abbandonata (Handel) and Arianna a Naxos (Haydn). Also on the program are a Handel trio sonata and a Haydn symphony in an arrangement by the 18th-century London impresario and violinist Johann Peter Solomon. This season's opening concert is a prelude to the 2009 Handel and Haydn anniversary celebrations, which Opera Lafayette will mark with a major work of each composer.

The program also celebrates the October release of Opera Lafayette's Naxos recording, Lully's Armide with Ms. Houtzeel in the title role. The Washington Post hailed Ms. Houtzeel's performance in Armide as "daring, impassioned.”

Tickets: $60 each for general seating and includes a Champagne reception to meet the artists, courtesy of Pernod Ricard USA. Available from Opera Lafayette at (202) 546-9332 or www.operalafayette.org.

Official Website: http://www.operalafayette.org/armida_abbandonata.html