Praise for Cummings' conducting of the London performances of the Handel and Haydn Society/English National Opera production of Monteverdi's L'Orfeo:

"Laurence Cummings conducted forcefully. this wonderful music sounded so vigorously alive." -The Telegraph

"Laurence Cummings. has delivered an aural feast." -The Independent

"Laurence Cummings. draws on a rich continuo ensemble to communicate the music's pungency without diminishing its fragrance." -Financial Times

Laurence Cummings is one of Britain's most exciting and versatile young exponents of historical performance both as harpsichord player and conductor. In 1996 he was appointed Head of Historical Performance at the Royal Academy of Music which has led to both baroque and classical orchestras forming part of the established curriculum. He is also Musical Director of the Tilford Bach Society and a trustee of Handel House London. Since 1999 he has been Music Director of the London Handel Festival. Opera productions include English National Opera, Glyndebourne Festival Opera, English Touring Opera, Opera Theatre Company, Linbury Theatre Covent Garden as part of the London Bach Festival, Streetwise Opera, and the Royal Academy of Music. As a continuo player he has worked regularly with Les Arts Florissants, The Sixteen, The Gabrieli Consort, and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and conductors William Christie, Paul McCreesh and Harry Christophers. He has collaborated with Stage Directors Graham Vick, Peter Sellars, Annabelle Arden, James Conway and Robert Carsen His numerous recordings include the first recording of Handel's newly discovered Gloria with Emma Kirkby and the Royal Academy of Music and recital discs of solo harpsichord music. Laurence Cummings makes his debut with the Handel and Haydn Society in the 2006-2007 Season.

Laurence Cummings conducts Monteverdi's Orfeo, September 22-24, 2006 and Handel's Messiah on December 1-4, 2006.