Iestyn Davies is a British countertenor widely recognized for the beauty of his tone and incomparable musicality. He is both an esteemed interpreter of 18th century opera and oratorio and a celebrated recitalist with repertoire ranging from John Dowland to Eric Clapton. Davies is the countertenor of choice for many a of the leading period instrument ensembles and has become the muse of contemporary composers such as Thomas Adès, Nico Muhly, and Michael Nyman. He has twice been awarded the Gramophone Recital Award. In 2017, he won the Gramophone Baroque Vocal Award and was awarded an MBE by the Queen for his services to Music. Iestyn Davies joins WFMT to share performances of some of his signature repertoire in advance of his debut with Music of the Baroque in Handel’s Theodora. Learn more HERE.
Iestyn Davies, a sublime musician
Playlist
All selections feature countertenor Iestyn Davies.
Henry Purcell arr. Richard Boothby: “Music for a While” from Oedipus, Z583
Fretwork
Purcell: “Here the deities approve” from Welcome to all the pleasures, Z339
Ensemble/Richard Egarr, harpsichord
John Dowland: Can she excuse my wrongs?
Dowland: Flow my tears
Dowland: Come again, sweet love doth now invite
Thomas Dunford, lute
Dowland arr. Nico Muhly: Time stands still
Aurora Orchestra/Nicholas Collon
George Frideric Handel: ” Yet can I hear that dulcet lay” from The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69
Jupiter/Thomas Dunford
Handel: “The raptur’d soul” from Theodora, HWV 68
Arcangelo/Jonathan Cohen
Handel: “To thee, thou glorious son of worth” from Theodora, HWV 68
Lea Desandre, mezzo-soprano
Jupiter/Thomas Dunford
