New oratorio about Handel’s life gets its world premiere on 2 July, to mark 250 years since the composer’s death
The world premiere of 25 Brook Street will take place on 2 July at 7pm, St. George’s Church Hanover Square. An exhilarating score, written collaboratively by four of the UK's most sought-after young composers, Mark Bowden, Larry Goves, Chris Mayo and Charlie Piper, sets an exciting libretto which sees Handel confronting personal conflicts from his past, as he races to finish Jephtha, his final oratorio. The original libretto is by highly-acclaimed playwright Helen Cooper.
This new oratorio, commissioned by Handel House Museum, is the only musical performance about Handel’s life story to take place this anniversary year. Set in 25 Brook Street, Handel’s home for the last thirty-six years of his life, Handel is dictating his composition of Jephtha to his copyist John Christopher (J.C.) Smith. But themes from the story of Jephtha and Handel’s life become intertwined and as personal conflicts from the composer’s past arise, he encounters himself as Georg the boy and Handel at the top of his game.
The performance will be directed by Laurence Cummings, historical performance specialist, conductor and harpsichordist. Bass Brindley Sherratt will sing the role of ‘old Handel’. Sherratt has recently sung the role of Edward Teller in ENO’s Dr Atomic and will perform in a new production of Handel’s Messiah with ENO later this year. Rising young tenor Thomas Hobbs sings the role of ‘young Handel’ and soprano Miriam Allan sings the role of ‘Georg Handel’.
Performance and booking details:
25 Brook Street - A New Oratorio
Thursday 2 July at 7pm
St. George's Church Hanover Square, Mill Street, London W1S 1FX.
Tickets: £10 and £5 (students)
Handel House booking line: 020 7399 1953.
www.handelhouse.org/handel2009/new_oratorio
More information about the oratorio including interviews and biographies
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Notes to Editors:
1. For biographies of Helen Cooper and the four composers, interview requests, press tickets and photos, please contact Shuk Kwan Liu, Marketing Officer, Handel House Museum, tel. 020 7399 1953, email. skliu@handelhouse.org
2. Handel House Museum opened in November 2001 and has brought the life of Handel to new audiences and Handel admirers ever since. The Museum hosts regular live music events featuring young, talented and established early music performers, changing exhibitions, family activities and weekend lecture-recitals, keeping Handel’s residence alive with music.
3. Handel House Museum Visitor Information
Times: Tues, Weds, Fri, Sat 10am-6pm; Thurs 10am-8pm; Sun 12 noon-6pm
Closed Mondays, including Bank Holidays. Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
On Thursday 2 July, the Museum will close at 6pm due to the performance at St. George’s Church.
4. Handel was a regular worshipper at St. George’s Hanover Square during the thirty-six years he lived at 25 Brook Street. The composer had his own pew, his advice was sought on the suitability of the organ and he was involved in devising a test for the selection of the church organist.