Torn between love and glory, the warrior Orlando gives way to madness – and rampages through a world of lovers, sorcerers and all-powerful spirits. Handel’s 1733 opera is a true extravaganza, performed tonight by some of the world’s most brilliant living Handelians.

Iestyn Davies is just one member of a virtuoso cast, supported by the Academy of Ancient Music and Laurence Cummings – conducting his first Handel opera as AAM’s Music Director. Together, they’ll bring a beauty, an imagination and a verve worthy of one of Handel’s most sublime operatic achievements. ‘Utterly heavenly’ was how The Daily Telegraph described Davies in this role, and this is Handel as it was meant to be heard: performed with insight and real vocal brilliance.

There will be a free pre-performance talk at 3pm in the Fountain Room.