January – April 2015 Live Music, Events & Exhibitions
www.handelhouse.org
Pictured with Laurence Cummings, Handel House Talent and Composer-in-Residence perform this season and they are (L-R): CAOIMHE DE PAOR (RECORDER) Thursday 9 April, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 12
EDWIN HILLIER WITH BLOCK4 Thursday 1 January, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 6
ELSPETH ROBERTSON (RECORDER) Thursday 23 April, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 13
KATARZYNA KOWALIK (HARPSICHORD) Thursday 30 April, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 13
CATHY BELL (MEZZO-SOPRANO) Thursday 16 April, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 13
GEORGE ROSS (CELLO) Thursday 2 April, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 12
MARIE VAN RHIJN (HARPSICHORD) Thursday 26 March, 6.30-7.30pm. Page 11 www.handelhouse.org | 2 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
Director’s Welcome A New Year approaches and with that an opportunity to see some exciting projects taking place at Handel House. In September we, along with international conductor and Handel House Trustee Laurence Cummings, launched ‘Handel House Talent’ a new scheme to nurture the development of six musicians who are at the start of their careers. We are thrilled by their musicality, enthusiasm and excitement in taking part. Friendships have already been forged which will hopefully lead to some special collaborations over the course of the year. There will be an opportunity to follow their development through masterclasses and workshops which will be open to the public, details of which will be made available on our website. But first, each participant is given the opportunity to perform at the house with a programme of their own choice (details opposite). Prepare to be amazed! Handel House Talent would not be possible without financial support and I would like to thank the Sir John Fisher Foundation, Mercers’ Company, the Radcliffe Trust for their contributions and an Olwen and Edwin Powell Award. Alongside the Talent participants is our Composer-in-Residence Apprentice for 2014-15, Edwin Hillier. We know that Handel composed many outstanding works in this house and we keep this tradition alive with our residencies. Edwin joins an illustrious list of resident composers who have since written works for leading orchestras, ballet companies and concert halls as well as gaining distinguished lecturing posts. Edwin’s responsibilities will include assisting in our learning programme for schools and composing a new work for the house. He will chart the progress of this new piece with a series of illustrated talks throughout the year, but first, you will get a chance to meet him and hear his compositional style on New Year’s Day (page 6).
www.handelhouse.org | 3 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
Season Highlights
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
HANDEL, BACH AND SCARLATTI: 330 YEARS
HANDEL’S TENOR A programme dedicated to English singer John Beard, Handel’s favoured tenor. Page 6
This harpsichord concert celebrates composers who defined the baroque style: Handel, Bach and Scarlatti. Page 9
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1 4 2 5 BHS RECITAL: LANDOWSKA IN LONDON
This lecture-recital commemorates the life and works of Polish-French harpsichordist Wanda Landowska. Page 10
CAPTURING CUZZONI: DRAMA AND THE DIVA
Another all Handel programme exploring the drama and wonder of diva Francesca Cuzzoni. Page 7
A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF HANDEL
This special concert complements our current exhibition, exploring Handel’s life and works in 1738. Page 11
www.handelhouse.org | 4 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
A brand new play premieres at Handel House The Devil to Pay on Brook Street A free adaptation by Nick Harrison of a short story by Daniel Defoe Musical consultant Laurence Cummings Directed by Martin Parr Handel House is delighted to present a brand new play with music by Handel in the performance room. It is Midnight on the 13 April, 1759. Former Royal Academy of Music sensation, the imposing Italian diva, Faustina Bordoni, has returned to England for the first time in decades to reignite her London career, with Handel’s assistance. But the maestro’s health is fast failing. It’s late. The house is quiet. As Handel’s servants tend his bedside, Faustina, tired and tetchy after an arduous journey, faces an anxious wait to see the ailing genius – with only a lowly maidservant for company. What follows is both unexpected and disquieting… PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES: Friday 20 February Saturday 21 February Sunday 22 February Tuesday 24 February Wednesday 25 February Thursday 26 February Friday 27 February Saturday 28 February Sunday 1 March
6pm and 7.30pm 2pm 2pm 6pm and 7.30pm 6pm and 7.30pm 6pm and 7.30pm 6pm and 7.30pm 2pm and 6pm 2pm and 6pm
Tickets: £15 – limited availability, early booking advised.
January 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
MASTER AND APPRENTICE Thursday 1 January, 6.30-7.30pm BLOCK4 explore the versatility of the recorder in a programme that spans several centuries and will include a world premiere by Handel House Composerin-Residence Apprentice, Edwin Hillier. BLOCK4 are Emily Bannister, Lucy Carr, Katie Cowling and Ria Smith (recorders).
EAST MEETS WEST Thursday 8 January, 6.30-7.30pm A meeting of minds…Handel first met Telemann in 1701, and they remained friends for more than 50 years. Telemann was a colleague of Bach’s in Eisenach, and became godfather to his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel in 1714. Jill Kemp (recorders) and Claire Williams (harpsichord) present a programme which juxtaposes these three baroque giants with two of the most inspirational and influential 20th century Japanese composers.
BHS RECITAL: SOIRÉE FRANÇAISE Tuesday 13 January, 6.30-7.30pm Nathaniel Mander presents an evening of decadence in the company of the great masters of the late French harpsichord tradition.
HANDEL’S TENOR Thursday 15 January, 6.30-7.30pm Guy Withers (tenor), accompanied by Robert Court (harpsichord), will explore the varied repertoire Handel wrote for his most favoured tenor, John Beard, in a collaboration that lasted almost twenty years. www.handelhouse.org | 6 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
January 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
WINTER, SPRING, SUMMER Thursday 22 January, 6.30-7.30pm ARCATA BAROQUE journeys through the year with seasonal music by Henry and Daniel Purcell, Thomas Arne, William Hayes and Joseph Bodin de Boismortier. ARCATA BAROQUE are Elin Harries (soprano), Carina Drury (cello) and Nathaniel Mander (harpsichord).
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
CAPTURING CUZZONI: DRAMA AND THE DIVA Thursday 29 January, 6.30-7.30pm Italian operatic sensation Francesca Cuzzoni was Handel’s leading lady at London’s Royal Academy of Music between 1723 and 1728. Join Christina Raphaelle Haldane (soprano) and Carl Philippe Gionet (Harpsichord) as they capture her persona in a programme featuring arias from Ottone, Flavio, Guilio Cesare, Rodelinda, Alessandro and Scipione.
COMPOSER-IN-THE-HOUSE Follow Edwin Hillier’s time as Handel House Composer-in-Residence in our special ‘Composer-in-the-House’ blog. It is a chance for Edwin to share his experiences, influences and the works he will compose during his residency. http:// handelhousecomposer.blogspot.co.uk
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February 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
BACH VERSUS TELEMANN Thursday 5 February, 6.30-7.30pm JS Bach and Telemann were contemporaries at the beginning of the 18th century. At the time Bach’s mastery of harmony and counterpoint was considered old-fashioned and Telemann’s forwardlooking style was more popular. La Follia Trio celebrate their different styles and are Sara Minelli (flute), Gregor Riddell (cello) and Marco Vincenzi (harpsichord).
BHS RECITAL: WINTER BLUES Tuesday 10 February, 6.30-7.30pm Harpsichordist James Johnstone performs melancholic music for the winter months by masters of the genre: Froberger, Purcell, Draghi and Ritter.
STANLEY SADIE LECTURE: THE LIVES OF GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL Wednesday 11 February Drinks reception from 6pm Lecture 6.30-7.30pm Biographers play a hugely important role in moulding our understanding of Handel. By examining the writing and imagery of Handel Dr David Hunter (Curator, Historical Music Recordings Collection Fine Arts Library, University of Texas) reveals how much of what we think we know is based on narrative technique or storytelling. Venue: Royal Over-Seas League, Park Place, London SW1A 1LR Tickets: Free but booking essential. Please call booking line for tickets
LIFT ACCESS From March 2015 there will be no lift access. If you have any questions, please contact the museum in advance of your visit.
www.handelhouse.org | 8 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
February 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
THE PLEASURES OF THE IMAGINATION Thursday 12 February, 6.30-7.30pm This programme explores the charming but little known string trio repertoire of composers active in London during the second half of the 18th century including one of the few professional female violinists, Magdalena Lombardini Sirmen. The Akenside Players perform and are Anne Marie Christensen and Rebecca Eves (baroque violin) and Amelie Addison (baroque cello).
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
THE DEVIL TO PAY ON BROOK STREET See page 5 for more information. FRIDAY 20 FEBRUARY 6pm and 7.30pm SATURDAY 21 FEBRUARY 2pm SUNDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2pm TUESDAY 24 FEBRUARY 6pm and 7.30pm
WEDNESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 6pm and 7.30pm THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY 6pm and 7.30pm FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 6pm and 7.30pm SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2pm and 6pm Tickets: £15 – limited availability, early booking advised.
HANDEL, BACH AND SCARLATTI: 330 YEARS Thursday 19 February, 6.30-7.30pm 1685 was a miraculous year for music as three musical greats were born: Domenico Scarlatti, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel. Asako Ogawa (harpsichord) presents some of their most loved keyboard works including sonatas by Scarlatti; an English Suite by Bach; and Handel’s Suite in G minor.
www.handelhouse.org | 9 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
March 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
THE DEVIL TO PAY ON BROOK STREET See page 5 for more information. Sunday 1 March 2pm and 6pm Tickets: £15 – limited availability, early booking advised.
CORELLI’S OPUS 5 Thursday 5 March, 6.30-7.30pm The Amphion Consort explores one of the most influential music publications of the 18th century: 12 Sonatas for Violin and Continuo Op.5 by Arcangelo Corelli. They are Jennifer Bennett (baroque violin), Piroska Baranyay (baroque cello) and Yair Avidor (theorbo and lute).
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
BHS AND BCS RECITAL: ANNIVERSARIES Tuesday 10 March, 6.30-7.30pm Harpsichordist John Henry will celebrate two anniversaries in 2015: Jacquet de la Guerre and Jacques Duphly – and anticipate one a year later – Johann Jakob Froberger. In partnership with the British Harpsichord Society and the British Clavichord Society.
THE BIRD-FANCYER’S DELIGHT Thursday 12 March, 6.30-7.30pm Southwark Baroque will celebrate the beautiful and diverse range of chamber music composed for voice and woodwind, with a feathered friends twist! Southwark Baroque are Gwendolen Martin (soprano), David Beaney (recorders) and Claire Williams (harpsichord).
BHS RECITAL: LANDOWSKA IN LONDON Saturday 7 March, 2-4pm Wanda Landowska, Polish-French harpsichordist, pianist, musicologist and teacher, was passionate about early music and a leader in the harpsichord revival at the beginning of the 20th century. She is the subject of this lecture-recital led by harpsichordist Kasia Tomczak-Feltrin who will be joined by her Polish colleagues Katarzyna Kowalik and Pawel Siwczak. Tickets: £12, £6 students www.handelhouse.org | 10 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
March 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
MOZART IN LONDON Thursday 19 March, 6.30-7.30pm 250 years ago Mozart stayed in London from 1764-65. This concert will explore music of the time with works by Boyce and Mozart’s own arrangement of a keyboard sonata by JC Bach. Performed by Concertante of London: Madeleine Easton and Julia Black (baroque violins), Emma Alter (baroque viola), Nick Stringfellow (cello) and Nicholas Jackson (harpsichord).
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
HANDEL HOUSE TALENT: MARIE VAN RHIJN Thursday 26 March, 6.30-7.30pm Marie van Rhijn (harpsichord) celebrates the 300th anniversary of Jacques Duphly’s birthday. Following François Couperin and Rameau’s paths, his music offers a balance between tender expression and virtuosic figurations, in order to reach the French elegance of the 18th century.
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A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF HANDEL Sunday 22 March, 2-3pm 1738 was a year of stiff competition and sublime music making for Handel. Countertenor and RCM PhD student, Randall Scotting, will sing and discuss selections from Serse, Faramondo, Alessandro Severo and Saul.
a year in the life of handel
1738
www.handelhouse.org | 11 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
April 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
HANDEL HOUSE
talent
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
HANDEL HOUSE TALENT: CAOIMHE DE PAOR Thursday 9 April, 6.30-7.30pm Recorder player Caoimhe de Paor will explore the beginnings of two influential Italian genres from the early 17th and 18th centuries, with sonatas from the ‘Stylus Phantasticus’ movement and a solo concerto by the most prolific composer of this style, Antonio Vivaldi.
HANDEL HOUSE TALENT: GEORGE ROSS Thursday 2 April, 6.30-7.30pm
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George Ross (cello) accompanied by Marie van Rhijn (harpsichord) embark on a journey through French 18th century solo cello repertoire. The programme will include works by Jean-Baptiste Barrière, Salvatore Lanzetti, Martin Berteau and the Duport brothers.
HANDEL HOUSE EASTER TRAIL Sunday 5 April Hop along to Handel’s House for lots of family fun! Each child will be given an interactive trail that will take them all over the building using fun games and facts to lead them to a yummy, chocolatey surprise! Live music will also fill the walls of Handel’s music room played by some of Handel House’s favourite performers.
BHS RECITAL: DOUBLE ENTENDRE Tuesday 14 April, 6.30-7.30pm Harpsichordists Katarzyna Kowalik and Pawel Siwczak explore the subtleties and meanings of the ‘double entendre’ in works for two harpsichords by Couperin, Le Roux, Buxtehude, Bach, Boccherini and Dodgson.
There is no need to book a ticket for this event. General Admission prices will apply on the day.
www.handelhouse.org | 12 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
April 2015
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
HANDEL HOUSE
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
HANDEL HOUSE TALENT: CATHY BELL Thursday 16 April, 6.30-7.30pm
talent
Cathy Bell (mezzo-soprano), accompanied by Asako Ogawa (harpsichord), explores Handel’s cantatas and operas from his early career in London as well as music from some of his early influences, both English and Italian.
HANDEL HOUSE TALENT: ELSPETH ROBERTSON Thursday 23 April, 6.30-7.30pm
HANDEL HOUSE TALENT: KATARZYNA KOWALIK Thursday 30 April, 6.30-7.30pm
Elspeth Robertson (recorder), accompanied by Nathaniel Mander (harpsichord), will explore a diverse range of repertoire spanning the 17th and 18th centuries of Italian, German, French and Dutch origin displayed on a range of instruments from the early Ganassi descant to the 18th century Voice flute.
Harpsichordist Katarzyna Kowalik presents a musical journey through Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Far East, illustrating the cultural differences and national features captured in harpsichord music by composers Lully, Couperin, Rameau, D’Anglebert, Forqueray, Moyreau, Noblet and Royer.
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www.handelhouse.org | 13 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
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A Year in the Life of Handel: 1738
Exhibition included in admission charge: £6.50, £5.50 concessions, £2 children (free on weekends)
UNTIL SUNDAY 28 JUNE 2015 Our series of exhibitions looking in depth at a single year in Handel’s life continues with 1738. It was a year of varying fortunes for Handel – the Italian opera was failing and he was turning increasingly to the new form of the English oratorio. But at the same time a magnificent statue of him was unveiled at Spring Gardens in Vauxhall, celebrating his pre-eminent position in London society. It was the year in which Handel helped create the Fund for Decay’d Musicians, the roots of the new Methodist ministry were established, and Fortnum and Mason invented the Scotch Egg. Once again a team of Handel House Volunteers have researched and curated the exhibition, and the story of 1738 is told through images and objects from the Handel House Collection, together with loans from other museums. EXHIBITION EVENT: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF HANDEL Sunday 22 March, 2-3pm See page 11 for details. EXHIBITION TALKS AT 3PM Exhibition Talks are delivered by volunteers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge. They last between 15-20 minutes and will take place on: Saturday 31 January, Saturday 28 March and Saturday 25 April.
Booking information Friends booking Monday 17 November, 10am Public booking Monday 1 December, 10am Booking line 020 7399 1953 Please note • All event tickets include free museum admission unless otherwise stated. • Handel House does not refund or exchange tickets. • Admission to all Handel House events is for ticket holders only. • As audience capacity is very limited, please book your tickets in advance. • All events take place in the Rehearsal & Performance room at the Handel House Museum unless otherwise stated. • All information is correct at time of going to press. Handel House Trust Ltd reserves the right to change artists and/or programmes without notice as necessary.
Tube: Bond Street/Oxford Circus Bus: Numerous buses to Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street. Telephone: 020 7495 1685 Fax: 020 7495 1759 Email: mail@handelhouse.org Website: www.handelhouse.org
Access There is no lift access for visitors from March 2015. Please telephone before arrival so that we can best accommodate your needs. There are accessible toilets for disabled visitors and baby changing facilities for visitors. One carer per disabled visitor is admitted free of charge to the Museum. For your own safety, you are advised to wear sensible shoes when visiting, as the museum contains original 18th century floors which can be uneven. Stilettos damage the original flooring and leather soled-shoes are particularly unsuitable. Please note that certain rooms have low lighting.
New Years and Easter Opening Times New Years Eve 10am-6pm New Years Day 12-8pm Good Friday 3 April Closed Saturday 4 April 10am-6pm Easter Sunday 5 April 12-6pm Easter Monday 6 April Closed
Handel House Museum 25 Brook Street, Mayfair London W1K 4HB
Claridges
Opening Times Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm (8pm on Thursday), Sunday 12pm-6pm. Last admission 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Bank holidays.
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Events at a glance | Booking line: 020 7399 1953
FRIENDS BOOKING: Monday 17 November, 10am PUBLIC BOOKING: Monday 1 December, 10am
Thursday 1 Thursday 8 Tuesday 13 Thursday 15 Thursday 22 Thursday 29 Saturday 31
February Thursday 5 Tuesday 10 Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Thursday 19 Friday 20 Saturday 21 Sunday 22 Tuesday 24 Wednesday 25 Thursday 26 Friday 27 Saturday 28
March
Sunday 1 Thursday 5 Saturday 7 Tuesday 10 Thursday 12 Thursday 19 Sunday 22 Thursday 26 Saturday 28
April
Thursday 2 Sunday 5 Thursday 9 Tuesday 14 Thursday 16 Thursday 23 Saturday 25 Thursday 30
Master and Apprentice East Meets West BHS Recital: Soirée Française Handel’s Tenor Winter, Spring, Summer Capturing Cuzzoni: Drama and the Diva Exhibition Talk – A Year in the Life of Handel: 1738
Join the m on H e-ne andel Ho thly w u on co sletter for se ncert upda s, e tes spec ial ev xhibition much ents and s, more !
Bach versus Telemann BHS Recital: Winter Blues Stanley Sadie Lecture The Pleasures of the Imagination Handel, Bach and Scarlatti: 330 years Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street
Play: The Devil to Pay on Brook Street Corelli’s Opus 5 BHS Recital: Landowska in London BHS and BCS Recital: Anniversaries The Bird-Fancyer’s Delight Mozart in London Exhibition Event – A Year in the Life of Handel Handel House Talent: Marie van Rhijn Exhibition Talk – A Year in the Life of Handel: 1738
Handel House Talent: George Ross Handel House Easter Trail Handel House Talent: Caoimhe de Paor BHS Recital: Double Entendre Handel House Talent: Cathy Bell Handel House Talent: Elspeth Robertson Exhibition Talk – A Year in the Life of Handel: 1738 Handel House Talent: Katarzyna Kowalik
Front cover - Handel House Talent by Lucy Judson
January