Vivaldi's Four Seasons – 5 Dec, St Giles in the Fields, LondonVivaldi's Four Seasons – 5 Dec, St Giles in the Fields, London

Soloist: Handel – Overture to Messiah Vivaldi – The Four Seasons This one-hour programme pairs two of the best-loved works of the Baroque era. Opening the evening is the overture from Handel’s Messiah, whose stately opening and dramatic contrasts have made it one of the defining sounds of the festive season. The concert culminates in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, one of the most famous and instantly recognisable works in all classical music. Each concerto depicts a different season, shaped by accompanying poems – possibly written by Vivaldi himself – and inspired by the vivid seasonal landscapes of artist Marco Ricci. Across the four concertos, Vivaldi transforms the natural world into vivid musical scenes, evoking birdsong and buzzing flies, harvest celebrations, drunken revellers, barking dogs, summer storms and winter ice. Whether you’re already in the know or completely new to classical music, this is a programme to be enjoyed by all.