Handel 2009 Archive

Handel Events in 2009

To mark the 250th anniversary of Handel's death, a programme of events including performances of rarely-heard works and a new oratorio commission, 25 Brook Street is being organised by Handel House Museum.

Handel's Cantatas and Keyboard Suites

Throughout the year, Handel House Museum, the London Handel Society and the British Harpsichord Society are putting on all of Handel's authenticated cantatas scored for solo voice and continuo alone, together with all his keyboard works. Many of these little known continuo cantatas later infiltrated Handel's operas for the London stage. The series has been co-ordinated by early music specialist and harpsichordist Julian Perkins.

At Handel House Museum (book via 020 7399 1953)
13 June: Handel's Solo Keyboard Works (British Harpsichord Society concert)
18 June: Keyboards and Cantatas - Kate Semmens (soprano) and Julian Perkins (harpsichord)
11 July: Handel's Solo Keyboard Works (British Harpsichord Society Recital)
16 July: Keyboards and Cantatas - Zarah Hible (mezzo-soprano) and David Wright (harpsichord)
30 July: Keyboards and Cantatas - Andrew Radley (countertenor) and Julian Perkins (harpsichord and spinet)
13 August: Keyboards and Cantatas - Erica Eloff (soprano) and Erik Dippenaar (harpsichord)
20 August: Keyboards and Cantatas - Ildiko Allen (soprano) and Bridget Cunningham (harpsichord)

Exhibition: Handel Reveal'd

8 April to 25 October 2009
Handel Reveal'd investigates many aspects of Handel's life, including his finances, his love of food and his health, drawing on objects from the Museum's own collection and significant loans from national museums and private collections. This is the first exhibition about Handel's personal life  to be held at Handel House Museum.

25 Brook Street - A New Oratorio

Thursday 2 July, 7pm
St. George's Church Hanover Square, Mill Street, W1S 1FX
Tickets: £10, £5 students
Booking line: 020 7399 1953

The world premiere of a new oratorio, commissioned by Handel House Museum. This new oratorio is inspired by the life and work of Handel. Composed by four of the UK's most sought after composers: Mark Bowden, Larry Goves, Chris Mayo and Charlie Piper. Original libretto by Bafta-nominrated writer Helen Cooper. Directed by Laurence Cummings, performed by Brindley Sherratt (Old Handel), Thomas Hobbs (J.C. Smith), the London Handel Players, and the Choir of St. George's Hanover Square.

Handel House Museum at 25 Brook Street will be at the heart of the Handel celebrations this year. This landmark address is where Handel lived for thirty-six years of his life and where he died on 14 April 1759.

For details of Handel performances throughout the UK, go to the dedicated Handel Performance Diary below.

Full events listing