^{FIRST PUBLISHED 11 JUL 2026}

Thomas Dunford’s Jupiter Ensemble and French-Italian mezzo-soprano Lea Desandre step into the thick of Handel’s oratorios and other works for London to embrace some of the composer’s most expressive arias, none more affecting than 'With darkness deep, as is my woe' from Theodora and the sublime 'Guardian angels, oh, protect me', a ravishing number from the 1757 version of The Triumph of Time and Truth. They conclude with the vocal pyrotechnics of 'No, no! I'll take no less', the mortal Semele’s command to the god, Jupiter.

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The concert by Lea Desandre, Thomas Dunford and Ensemble Jupiter took place on 24 June 2026 at Wigmore Hall, London.

PERFORMERS
Lea Desandre mezzo-soprano
Thomas Dunford director, lute
Jupiter Ensemble
Louise Ayrton violin
Magda Sypniewski violin
Mario Carpintero viola
Cyril Poulet cello
Ismael Campanero double bass
Violaine Cochard harpsichord
Neven Lesage oboe

PROGRAMME
'With darkness' from Theodora, HWV68
'Fly from the threat'ning vengeance, Fly!' from Occasional Oratorio, HWV62
Dances from Terpsicore, HWV 8b: Prelude; Chaconne; Sarabande; Gigue
'As with rosy steps the morn' from Theodora
'Prophetic raptures swell my breast from Joseph and his Brethren, HWV59
Suite from Theodora
'Will the Sun forget to streak' from Solomon, HWV67
'Sarabande' from Suite in D minor, HWV437
'Guardian Angels, oh, protect me' from The Triumph of Time and Truth, HWV71
'No, no, I'll take no less' from Semele, HWV58