On Tour with John Eliot Gardiner: Christmas with Bach and Charpentier

This tour so far already has been a remarkable experience, and it’s been a real privilege to work with John Eliot Gardiner again. Rehearsing with him in London was inspiring as always, but this time felt especially meaningful as I prepared for my first solo with him—something I’ll perform during the final concert of the tour in Versailles.

Our inaugural concert with John Eliot Gardiner’s Constellation Choir and Orchestra at the Philharmonie in Hamburg was an evening I’ll never forget. John Eliot received such a warm and heartfelt welcome from the audience, setting the tone for an incredible performance. Being on stage that night, despite the challenges of the day, was truly special.

In safe hands with Opa ready to decorate the Christmas tree

And there were challenges. First of all of course, never easy saying goodbye to your child, but she is in safe hands with Opa ready to decorate the Christmas tree when they get back home. Secondly, our flight from Heathrow at 8:50 was cancelled due to the storm Darragh that morning, and our rebooked flight was delayed by three hours. We landed in Hamburg at 7 PM, made it to the venue by 7:50 PM, had a brief rehearsal until 8:30 PM, and went straight into the concert at 8:45 PM. It was a nerve-racking day, but the professionalism and care from Intermusica and the Philharmonie team made all the difference—they even arranged sandwiches on the bus and pizza after the performance. Against the odds, the concert went ahead, and it’s a testament to everyone involved that it came together so smoothly.

One moment that will stay with me forever came during the encore, Es ist ein Ros entsprungen. We barely finished our last note, someone in the audience called out, “DANKE,” with such sincerity that it summed up everything we had all been feeling. It was incredibly moving, and I couldn’t help but shed a tear. Moments like that remind me how powerful live music can be.

After Hamburg, we traveled to Vienna, where we were fortunate to have a smooth journey and arrived well-rested for the concert at the Konzerthaus. Once again, the audience’s welcome for John Eliot and the musicians was warm and generous, and it was a joy to perform this programme of two Bach cantatas BWV36 “Schwingt freudich euch empor” and BWV110 Unser Mund sei voll Lachens” and Charpentier’s “Minuit pour Noel*. The music is uplifting and so rewarding to sing, and the energy on stage is electric.

This tour has been a journey of challenges, camaraderie, and deeply fulfilling music-making. I feel lucky to be part of such a talented group of musicians and to share these moments with them under John Eliot’s direction. As we move on to Luxembourg, Dortmund, and finally Versailles, I’m savoring every step of this adventure.