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Mr. Beard, Mr. Pears & Mr. Gilchrist

February 3–7, 2021

This performance has been cancelled.

Three masterful tenors—John Beard, Peter Pears, and James Gilchrist—are the inspiration for this intriguing program of Handel, Purcell, and PBO’s debut performance of music by Benjamin Britten.

In lieu of live performances, our 2020/21 programming has been expanded to a digital platform. Click here to experience PBO/VIRTUAL!

About Mr. Beard, Mr. Pears & Mr. Gilchrist

More Info

Prior to meeting John Beard, Handel had a habit of placing tenors in minor roles. After meeting him, Handel dramatically expanded the role of the tenor to honor Beard’s talent. Though separated by centuries, both Purcell and tenor Peter Pears loom large in Benjamin Britten’s music and life. And who better to interpret the works written for these luminaries than James Gilchrist, one of Richard’s favorite tenors, whose facile voice will illuminate the emotional core of this program. These three masterful tenors comprise this intriguing program of Handel, Purcell, and PBO’s debut performance of music by Benjamin Britten.

The Music

HANDEL Concerto Grossi, Op. 6
HANDEL Arias for John Beard
PURCELL Chacony in G minor (arr. Britten)
BRITTEN Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings, Op. 31

Richard Egarr, conductor
James Gilchrist, tenor
Todd Williams, horn
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra

The Artists

Richard Egarr

conductor

Todd Williams

horn

Pre-Concert Talk

Join us for the Pre-Concert Talk forty-five minutes prior to the concert start time. More information about the talk available here soon.
If you’re unable to join us, the Sunday Pre-Concert Talk will be livestreamed here. Tune in at 3:15PM before the Sunday performance to listen in! The video will be available for viewing after the livestream as well.

Program Notes

The program notes for this performance will be available here one week before the first performance. Refresh the page for the latest updates.

Mr. Beard, Mr. Pears & Mr. Gilchrist

WED 2/3/21
7:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto
FRI 2/5/21
8:00 p.m.
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
SAT 2/6/21
8:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Berkeley
SUN 2/7/21
4:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, Berkeley

#PBO2021