Queen of Hearts
A Valentine’s Day Revel feat. Nic McGegan
About the Production
A Valentine’s Day Revel with Nic McGegan
Celebrate love in all its guises—sensual, humorous, chaste, and tragic—through tender ballads, amorous duets, cheeky verses, and bawdy drinking songs, all led by Nic McGegan, Music Director Laureate of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, renowned for his musical wit. Savor food, craft cocktails, and wine in homage to Bacchus. In Washington DC, wine will be provided by 2023 Michelin-guide Washington, DC Sommelier of the Year Sarah Thompson (Queen’s English). In New York City, signature cocktails will be provided by noted NY mixologist Alex Dominguez (Bar Calico).
Running Time: 75 minutes
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Virtual Salon with Nic McGegan & Patrick Quigley
Monday, February 2, 2026, 7:00pm
Virtual
Artists
Nic McGegan, guest conductor*
Guest Conductor
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, Capella Savaria
Maya Kherani, soprano*
Critically-Acclaimed
New York Philharmonic, Portland Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists
James Reese, tenor
Grammy Award-winning artist
Boston Early Music Festival, Tafelmusik, Philharonia Baroque Orchestra, American Bach Soloists, Seraphic Fire
Opera Lafayette Chamber Orchestra
* Opera Lafayette debut
Meet Nic McGegan
Guest Curator & Master of Ceremonies
“an expert in 18th century style” - The New Yorker
In his sixth decade on the podium, Nicholas McGegan — long hailed as “one of the finest baroque conductors of his generation” — is recognized for his probing and revelatory explorations of music of all periods. Following a 34-year tenure as Music Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, he is now Music Director Laureate. He is also Principal Guest Conductor of Hungary’s Capella Savaria. At home in opera houses, McGegan shone new light on close to 20 Handel operas as the Artistic Director and conductor at Germany’s International Handel Festival Göttingen for 20 years (1991–2001), and the Mozart canon as Principal Guest Conductor at Scottish Opera in the 1990s. He was also Principal Conductor of Sweden’s Drottningholm Court Theatre from 1993 to 1996.
Program Includes:
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WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE?
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Now winter nights | Thomas Campion (1567-1620)
Prelude from Suite in A | Nicola Matteis (c. 1650-1713)
If Music Be the Food of Love | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
I attempt from love’s sickness | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Oh that I had a fine man | Pelham Humfrey (1647-1674)
Le doux Silence | Honoré d’Ambruis (c. 1660-1702)
To Virgins to make much of Time | William Lawes (1602-1645)
The Epicure | Thomas Jordan (c. 1612–1685)
Pourquoi, doux Rossignol | Jean-Baptiste Drouard de Bousset (1662-1725)
When cockleshells | British Folksong
Somebody | Anonymous
Aria Amorosa from Suite in e minor | Nicola Matteis (c. 1650-1713)
Dialogue upon a kiss | Henry Lawes (1596-1662)
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COURTSHIP
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Adagio from Suite in C | Nicola Matteis (c. 1650-1713)
Bel Pastor | Claudio Monteverdi (1667-1643)
Oh Mother, Roger with his Kisses | Thomas D’Urfey (c. 1653-1723)
Monsieur le Chien | William Mountfort (c.1664-1692)
Nel cor più non mi sento from ‘L’Amor Contrasto’ | Giovanni Paisiello (1740-1816)
Dear Pretty Youth from ‘The Tempest’ | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
The Knotting Song | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Quel tuo visetto from ‘Orlando Paladino’ | Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)
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AMOR VINCIT OMNIA
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Broken Concert No. 6 Ayre | Matthew Locke (1621-1677)
When first I saw bright Aurelia’s eyes from Dioclesian | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Sweeter than Roses from ‘Pausanias’ | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
Pur ti miro from ‘L’incoronazione di Poppea’ | Claudio Monteverdi (1667-1643)
Cupid’s Nightcap | Stanley J. Sharpless
Man is for the woman made from ‘The Mock Marriage’ | Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
