Haydn's Lo Speciale in London

Haydn's opera Lo Speciale (The Apothecary) gets a rare outing tomorrow (19 November) when the Retrospect Ensemble give a semi-staged performance in a new English translation by John Warrack. Directed by Joe Austin and conducted by Justin Doyle, the performance takes place at St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge with a strong cast which includes Robert Murray, Ildiko Allen, Alexander Sprague and Louise Innes. Haydn's opera was written to inaugurate the new opera house at Esterhaza in 1768. The comic opera has a libretto by Carlo Goldoni, and was very popular on its first performances. The plot includes a number of devices such a lovers in exotic foreign disguise which recall Mozart's operas.

Formed in 2009, the ensemble's first artistic director was Matthew Halls who has recently moved to the Oregon Bach Festival. This concert is Justin Doyle's first engagement with the ensemble as artistic director. Justin Doyle is Principal Conductor of Manchester Chamber Choir and of Manchester University Chorus and Musical Director of Opera North Children’s Chorus, and has been Artistic Director of Ryedale Festival and Swaledale Festival. He won second prize in the prestigious Cadaqués Orchestra Conducting Competition and was awarded the first Conductor Fellowship with the BBC Singers.