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2026/27 SEASON
Of Rivers and Roses – Lincoln Center Reviews
Aryeh ready for a miracle? – Parterre Box
“Whelan and PB are off to a splendid start. His orchestra (for his Lincoln Center appearance, the group was dotted with familiar New York faces like Gonzalo X. Ruiz, whose superb oboe shone throughout) played with invigorating energy and stylish vigor. Scattered throughout “Of Rivers and Roses” were movements from the first Water Music suite that danced with unforced brio and featured the bravely forthright horns of Sara Cyrus and Alexandra Cook. Although Tolomeo wasn’t the undiscovered gem that Teseo and Atalanta proved to be when in the recent past McGegan and PB brought them to the area, one hopes that Whelan and his plucky band will visit again—soon!”
“Cohen proves to be that rare creature: a countertenor for people who hate countertenors!”
Philharmonia Baroque alternates movements from Handel and Shaw in a sterling interpretation—Seen and Heard International
“The Philharmonia plays on Baroque instruments with sterling finesse, and they hit high marks from the opening work.”
“Whelan’s tempi were exciting and made for gripping contrasts. The dynamics seemed to dance in step with the surges in Baroque phrasing that once again proved the Philharmonia are experts in that musical era.”
“A welcome encore made staying past the credits (so to speak) of this cinematic evening particularly worthwhile.”
Handel’s Tolomeo Reviews
Can a smaller Bay Area orchestra outshine S.F. Opera? This ‘Tolomeo’ says yes—San Francisco Chronicle
“Opening night on Thursday, July 23, at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco was sold out, and for good reason. The orchestra and singers performed brilliantly.”
“It served as confirmation that the orchestra is in good hands with its new leader.”
“Philharmonia Baroque has set a high bar for itself with this production, which was better than what San Francisco Opera could do with the same material.”
“The orchestra played as alertly as ever under Whelan’s animated direction.”
“Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra intended to launch Peter Whelan’s inaugural season… with a bang. And it did.”
Review: Bringing Charm to the Seriousness of a Handel Opera—The New York Times
“His conducting was downright joyous — a promising start to his tenure.”
“Peter Whelan, Philharmonia Baroque’s new music director, led ‘Tolomeo’ with crisp energy”
“Particularly winning was his emphasis on the moments of dissonance in Handel’s score; Whelan gently drew these tensions out, underlining the emotions without overplaying them.”
“As demonstrated by the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s surprisingly funny production of Handel’s ‘Tolomeo’…”
‘The Egyptian Helen’ and ‘Tolomeo’ Review: Marital Strife and Hidden Identities –The Wall Street Journal
“Conducted by its incoming music director, Peter Whelan…the orchestra was in excellent form, its stylish swing and careful balances buoyantly supporting the singers.”
Handel, with care – Joshua Kosman Substack
“Peter Whelan’s first season as music director of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale got underway last Thursday with a superb semi-staged rendition of Handel’s opera Tolomeo, an outsized feast of vocal and instrumental beauty.”
“This production … made as dashing an opening as one could wish.”
“The orchestra sounded suave and focused, and the cast delivered Handel’s brilliant arias and duets in an unbroken sequence of expressive grandeur.”
“Whelan’s conception of this music, by contrast, is bigger, richer, bolder.”
“Whelan’s tenure could not have got off to a more auspicious beginning; I can’t wait to see what further treasures await.”
Tolomeo at Caramoor—Opera Today (Michael Milenski)
“There was never a moment of hesitation under the careful, masterful control of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s recently appointed music director Peter Whelan.”
“The Irish maestro held his starring role facing the audience, … building and relaxing Handel’s dramatic tensions with a knowing precision that enveloped us all — orchestra players, singers, and audience — into one sentient ensemble.”
“The 25 players of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra wailed, pined and rejoiced with impressive fervor.”
A new era at Philharmonia Baroque – Nick Jones Substack
“For me, the real story was the debut of Philharmonia Baroque’s fourth Music Director, Peter Whelan, whose stunning musicality rippled through the entire performance.”
“Conducting from the harpsichord, Whelan made the orchestra sound as fabulous as it used to under long-time director Nicholas McGegan.”
“Whelan paced the tempos perfectly, from the tenderest to the fiercest, steadily supportive of the singers and attuned to the joyous variety of Handel’s arias.”
Philharmonia Baroque: Handel’s Tolomeo – The Reverberate Hills blog (Patrick Vaz Substack)
“PBO’s new Music Director, Peter Whelan, led a lively & musically convincing performance, with a stellar cast of singers.”
“Vocally, it was a glorious evening of glowing splendors.”
“The cast was on-point, each time & in all moods.”
“Musically the piece was rich enough to satisfy any opera lover, especially with such a truly outstanding cast.”
“Even if I didn’t love Handel & baroque opera as much as I do, just the chance to hear the vivid orchestral playing & the endlessly glorious unfurling singing would have been enough.”
“The orchestra’s confident yet supple playing under Whelan bodes well for his new regime.”
Peter Whelan Morning News Interviews
Profiles & Features
Q & A: Peter Whelan on Händel’s ‘Tolomeo,’ the Caramoor Festival & Early Music—OperaWire (Francisco Salazar)
He can Handel it! Philharmonia Baroque’s new director Peter Whelan mounts ‘Tolomeo’—48 Hills (Marke B.)
New Philharmonia Baroque director Peter Whelan opens season with Handel’s ‘Tolomeo’—Local News Matters
Other
Stanford Live: A Conversation with Tarik O’Regan – Jul 30, 2026 enewsletter
2026/27 Season Launch Previews
Philharmonia Baroque Unveils Big Plans for 2026-2027 – San Francisco Classical Voice
“If Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra’s incoming Music Director Peter Whelan wanted to make a splash with his first season, he has succeeded. Last Thursday’s announcement of the early music group’s 2026-2027 season leans heavily on costly, big works that draw attention.”
“… with the world premiere of an oud concerto, plus two famous oratorios and an opera, the orchestra will be rattling the rafters…”
Peter Whelan to Begin Tenure with PBO in July – The Rehearsal Studio
Philharmonia Baroque Unveils First Season Under New Music Director Peter Whelan –BroadwayWorld
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