January – April 2014 Music, Events & Exhibitions
Music and Rivalry www.handelhouse.org
Director’s welcome Rivalry, rows and duels that took place in the London music scene of the 18th century often filled the gossip pages of newspapers. From the competitive theatre managers John Rich at the Covent Garden Theatre and John Jacob Heidegger at the King’s Theatre, to the ‘rival queens’ Cuzzoni and Bordoni, to the tensions caused by composers Handel and Bononcini, battle lines were constantly being drawn. This season presents some of these scandalous rivalries and music that was composed and performed during this fiercely competitive period. Two new exhibitions also take place this season: The Triumph of Music Over Time: Handel and Charles Clay’s Musical Clocks (page 8) and She was Despiséd: Handel and Susannah Cibber (page 9). The first opens in November and the House will come alive every hour with the sound of the organ pipes from a Clay Clock. Unfortunately many of the original mechanisms have not survived but we are lucky to have a recording taken from a private collection. As you will no doubt hear, they are a charming rendering of Handel’s arias which he would have heard and approved himself. The second exhibition celebrates the tercentenary of the birth of actress and singer Susannah Cibber. A favourite and steadfast friend to Handel, the exhibition will explore her extraordinary life and the roles Handel wrote for her in Messiah and Samson. We have arranged some special events to tie in with these exhibitions so do read on to find out more.
Sarah Bardwell, Handel House Director
© Phillip Reed
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Season Highlights TIC-TOC-CLOCK
GOSSIP & CELEBRITY
HANDEL’S BIRTHDAY
The first concert of 2014 is dedicated to the world of musical clocks featuring harpsichordist Katarzyna Kowalik and Emily Baines who will talk about Charles Clay’s amazing musical timepieces. Page 4
Caricaturist and cartoonist Adrian Teal presents an afternoon talk about the many great stories and characters including Handel - from 18th century London in ‘The GinLane Gazette’. Page 5
On Sunday 23 February Handel House opens its doors for free to celebrate Handel’s 329th birthday. View our exhibition and enjoy live music played throughout the day. Page 7
EXHIBITION STUDY DAY
EASTER EGG HUNT
THE SPIRIT OF GAMBO
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Join Helen Dymond for an afternoon study day exploring the life of Susannah Cibber and her relationship with Handel in the very room they would have rehearsed and performed together. Page 10
Handel House celebrates Easter Explore the fascinating life of once more on Sunday 20 April solider and viol player Tobias with a trail full of rhymes and Hume. His pieces proved to be riddles suitable for the whole unpopular in his lifetime but they family to enjoy. reveal an extraordinary man Page 11 behind exquisite viol music. Page 12
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January 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
EXHIBITION EVENT: TIC-TOC-CLOCK Thursday 2 January, 6.30-7.30pm Katarzyna Kowalik performs a solo harpsichord recital featuring pieces for a musical clock by Handel, Bach and Haydn as well as French repertoire influenced by clocks. This concert will include an introductory overview of Mechanical Musical Clocks and the music composed for them by Guildhall DMus student Emily Baines. See page 8 for more information about the exhibition.
THE RIVALS’ PRIZE: A CONFLICT OF OLD AND NEW Thursday 9 January, 6.30-7.30pm
BHS RECITAL: MELANCHOLY AND INTROSPECTION Tuesday 14 January, 6.30-7.30pm
1701 heralded an official composition contest for ‘the Encouragement of Musick’. The finalists were four leading composers on the London theatre scene: Eccles, Weldon, Finger and Daniel Purcell. Their task was to set Congreve’s libretto The Judgment of Paris to music and the results surprised some and horrified others. Duo Dorado presents works by all four composers. They are Hazel Brooks (violin) and David Pollock (harpsichord).
Keyboard composers in the mid 17th century seemed fascinated with aspects of the intimate and the contemplative. Comparisons can be made with the enigmatic paintings of Johannes Vermeer, several of which depict instruments from the harpsichord family. Harpsichordist Yeo Yat-Soon explores these aspects through the music of Froberger, Couperin, Frescobaldi and Purcell.
PLUCKERS UNITE! Thursday 16 January, 6.30-7.30pm As musical rivals, the guitar and harpsichord are not often heard together. Join Amanda Cook (guitar) and Claire Williams (harpsichord) as they present a dazzling programme of music that flaunts the best of these two plucked instruments together. The concert will include works by Boccherini, Ponce, Scarlatti and Stephen Dodgson.
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January 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
HANDEL’S CELLISTS Thursday 23 January, 6.30-7.30pm
GOSSIP & CELEBRITY IN THE AGE OF HANDEL Saturday 25 January, 2-3.30pm Caricaturist and cartoonist Adrian Teal has written ‘The Gin-Lane Gazette’ a compendium of highlights from a fictional Georgian ‘tabloid’ dealing with true stories of scandal and intrigue in London and beyond. He will read stories dealing with Handel’s notorious gluttony; the scandalous Cibber family; the Foundling Hospital’s founders; and Dr Johnson and Jonas Hanway’s war of words over the dangers of tea-drinking. Tickets: £12, £6 students
This concert explores works by the Italian composers and cellists who were active in Georgian London. Many worked for Handel, not only as cellists, but as harpsichordists and even librettists. These multi-talented musicians include Giovanni Bononcini, Giacobbe Cervetto and Nicola Haym. Performed by Nikolay Ginov (baroque cello), Kathleen Ross (baroque cello), and Asako Ogawa (harpsichord).
AN OFFERING TO FLORA Thursday 30 January, 6.30-7.30pm Kate Macoboy (soprano), Ibrahim Aziz (viola da gamba), Oonagh Lee (recorders, oboe) and Pawel Siwczak (harpsichord) explore the themes of transformation, unrequited love and the beauty and power of nature disguised in allegory and myth. They will perform rare chamber cantatas by Purcell, Boismortier and Croft.
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February 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
STANLEY SADIE MEMORIAL LECTURE: HANDEL’S NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS BY ELLEN HARRIS, PROFESSOR EMERITUS Wednesday 5 February Drinks reception from 6.00pm, Lecture 6.30-7.30pm What was it like to live next to the great composer Handel? Who would call at his house? Who did he visit? Handel scholar Ellen Harris will explore Handel’s domestic life at 25 Brook Street and the many friends and neighbours who visited him at the new, fashionable residential district called ‘May Fair’.
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
MORE FAMOUS THAN DAD: MUSIC BY CPE BACH Tuesday 11 February, 6.30-7.30pm Rondos, fantasias and sonatas from CPE Bach’s extraordinary output demonstrate why, in his lifetime, he enjoyed greater celebrity than his Cantor father. An unusual opportunity to hear these works on both harpsichord and clavichord in the ideal setting of Handel House. Performed by Carole Cerasi.
Venue: Princess Alexandra Hall, Royal Over-Seas League SW1A 1LR Tickets: Free but booking essential. Please call booking line for tickets
A FORGOTTEN RIVALRY: SONATAS FOR VIOL AND CELLO Thursday 6 February, 6.30-7.30pm
HANDEL AND HIS RIVALS Thursday 13 February, 6.30-7.30pm
The viola da gamba was mainly used as a solo instrument in the 18th century until it was supplanted by the cello. This programme explores the relationship between the two instruments and includes virtuoso sonatas that highlight the nature of each. Performers are Ibrahim Aziz (viola da gamba), Poppy Walshaw (baroque cello) and Katie de La Matter (harpsichord).
Handel spent four cut-throat years from 1733-1737 fighting to secure dominance over his rival company ‘Opera of the Nobility’. Music and stories will be presented that will illuminate Handel, his work and competitors during this time. The Ballo Baroque Ensemble perform and are Randall Scotting (countertenor) and Marie Van Rhijn (harpsichord).
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February 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
L’ENTRETIEN DES DIEUX Thursday 20 February, 6.30-7.30pm Canadian harpsichordist Martin Robidoux returns after his debut at Handel House in 2012. He will perform French repertoire from the 17th century by composers Chambonnière, d’Anglebert and Couperin.
BHS WEEKEND RECITAL: HANDEL’S DUELIST JOHANN MATTHESON Saturday 22 February, 2-4pm Though good friends, rivalry in the opera pit caused Mattheson and Handel to fight a duel. Luckily neither came to any harm. Gilbert Rowland leads an afternoon of music by Mattheson with Masumi Yamamoto and other players. Tickets: £12, £6 students
HANDEL’S BIRTHDAY Sunday 23 February, 12-6pm (last admission 5.30pm) Handel House opens its doors on Handel’s 329th birthday. Join us on this special day free of charge to visit his home, view our latest exhibition (details page 8) and listen to music which will be performed throughout the day. Free admission
THE ART OF THE VIOLA Thursday 27 February, 6.30-7.30pm Despite not visiting England, the Italian violinist and composer Corelli’s influence was felt in London and inspired Handel and other composer’s works. The French composer Michel Corrette did visit London in the 1770s and until recently his works for viola were little known. Elena Artamonova (viola) and Kamilla Isanbaeva (harpsichord) perform a range of works by these composers.
FRIENDS BOOKING: Monday 11 November, 10am
PUBLIC BOOKING:
Monday 25 November, 10am
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Exhibition and displays
Exhibitions are included in admission charge: £6.50, £5.50 concessions, £2 children (free on weekends) THE TRIUMPH OF MUSIC OVER TIME: HANDEL AND CHARLES CLAY'S MUSICAL CLOCKS Wednesday 20 November 2013 – Sunday 23 February 2014 In the 1730s Handel provided music for a series of clocks created by watch and clockmaker Charles Clay. These beautiful machines, which incorporated automata, paintings, sculptures, furniture and gold and silver work by some of the finest artisans in London, also included chimes and pump organs that played extended musical excerpts from popular operas and sonatas. This exhibition provides the opportunity to view a Clay clock from the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in an intimate Georgian setting which recalls the context in which such new inventions were originally viewed in the clockmaker’s own home. It will be joined by a gilt bronze relief from another Clay clock on loan from the V&A, and a manuscript of Handel’s clock tunes from the British Library. In addition a recording of the music from a Clay clock in a private collection demonstrates the earliest ‘recordings’ of Handel’s music made during his lifetime.
© Birmingham Museums Trust
TIC-TOC-CLOCK Thursday 2 January, 6.30-7.30pm See page 4 for details
EXHIBITION TALKS AT 3PM Exhibition Talks are delivered by volunteers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge. Talks will last between 15-20 minutes and will take place on Saturday 11 January and Saturday 1 February.
The exhibition is kindly supported by the A.C.H.Crisford Charitable Foundation. www.handelhouse.org | 8 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
Exhibition and displays
Exhibitions are included in admission charge: £6.50, £5.50 concessions, £2 children (free on weekends) SHE WAS DESPISÉD: HANDEL AND SUSANNAH CIBBER Wednesday 26 February – Sunday 28 September 2014 To celebrate the tercentenary of her birth, Handel House Museum presents an exhibition on the life and work of Susannah Cibber. From a promising start as a singer in a small opera company, Cibber’s career and social standing were fatally blighted by the scandalous trial in which her husband Theophilus accused her of adultery. Unable to appear on the London stage, she fled to Dublin. It was here that she was chosen by Handel to sing in the first performance of Messiah in 1742, giving a moving performance of the aria ‘He was despiséd’. From her performance in the London premiere of Messiah a year later her career blossomed once again. She became one of the most significant actresses of the 18th century, and for many years was David Garrick’s leading lady. The exhibition will tell Susannah’s fascinating, dramatic and moving life story, through exhibits, contemporary texts, music and a programme of related events.
EXHIBITION STUDY DAY: SHE WHO PENETRATED THE HEART Saturday 1 March, 2-3.30pm See page 10 for details
EXHIBITION TALKS AT 3PM Exhibition Talks are delivered by volunteers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge. Talks will last between 15-20 minutes and will take place on Saturday 29 March and Saturday 26 April.
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March 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
EXHIBITION STUDY DAY: SHE WHO PENETRATED THE HEART Saturday 1 March, 2-3.30pm
TWEEDLEDUM AND TWEEDLEDEE Saturday 8 March, 2-3.30pm
‘Handel was very fond of Mrs. Cibber’ wrote Burney. Handel first saw her perform when she was eighteen and he forty-seven, and seems to have been permanently captivated. Notoriously irascible with other singers, he patiently coached Susannah from the harpsichord, playing each phrase for her to memorize. Following her agonizing adultery trial, he gave to her the most suffering moment in Messiah; later he immortalized their friendship in Samson. It might be said that she who ‘penetrated the heart’ with her expressive performance, became the muse for Handelian Oratorio. The day will be led by Helen Dymond, a lecturer at the City Literary Institute and an established authority on Handel’s life and work. Tickets: £12, £6 students
‘Tweedledum and Tweedledee agreed to have a battle...’ So wrote poet John Byrom of the rivalry between Handel and Bononcini. Although Handel enjoyed greater popularity, Bononcini eventually fled London after being charged with plagiarism. Emily Atkinson (soprano), Cathy Bell (mezzo soprano), Nikolay Ginov (baroque cello) and Asako Ogawa (harpsichord) present these two masters’ vocal works alongside music by their contemporaries. Tickets: £12, £6 students
FOLLOW US!
BHS RECITAL: VIRTUOSIC ENCOUNTERS Tuesday 11 March, 6.30-7.30pm
MUSIC OF LONDON-TOWN Thursday 6 March, 6.30-7.30pm At the turn of the 18th century, London was evolving into a thriving musical metropolis. Recorder quartet Consort Audite Nova explore works by the city’s own composers and music by those who moved to live and work here. They are Mary-Jannet Leith, Ben Cracknell, Elspeth Robertson and Isobel Clarke.
Harpsichordist Rachel Factor presents works by baroque composers known for their competition and rivalry with others. Featuring works by JS Bach, Marchand, Couperin, Handel and Scarlatti.
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March 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
DUALITY Thursday 13 March, 6.30-7.30pm Celebrating the multi-faceted virtuosic repertoire for violin and harpsichord, Jane Gordon (violin) and Julian Perkins (harpsichord) explore some of the most beautiful music written for these instruments. The programme ranges from the flamboyant virtuosity in Corelli’s sonata to the ruminate brilliance inherent in Bach’s music.
THE NEVER-ENDING BUZZ Thursday 20 March, 6.30-7.30pm
MASTERS OF THE FRENCH BAROQUE Thursday 27 March, 6.30-7.30pm
Musical life in London was vibrant in the 18th century as it is now. Styles and creativity met in a never-ending buzz. This programme includes music by Handel and his contemporaries - both colleagues and enemies. Les Nations Réunies perform and are Ruth Bruckner (recorder), Yu-Wei Hu (traverse), Kunihiro Mimura (viola da gamba), Johan Löfving (theorbo) and Marie van Rhijn (harpsichord).
Musica Poetica London present works by three of the greatest French composers of the baroque period: Leclair, Marais and Rameau. Characterised by sensuous melodies and intricate unusual harmonies these pieces show how they are both dramatic and strikingly original. They are Claudia Norz (violin), Kate Conway (viola da gamba) and Oliver-John Ruthven (harpsichord).
PODCASTS Listen to a selection of talks on www.handelhouse.org. Released every month, podcasts explore the life of Handel, Georgian London and much more.
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April 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
THE KING OF STRINGS Thursday 3 April, 6.30-7.30pm Anakay Koshka (violin) will explore violin techniques of both JS Bach and Ysaÿe. The programme will include JS Bach’s Sonata No.3 in C major BWV 1005, Ysaÿe Solo Sonata Op.27 No.5 and No.6 and Paganini’s Caprices Op 1.
BHS RECITAL: FROM VIENNA TO LÜBECK Tuesday 8 April, 6.30-7.30pm James Johnstone (harpsichord) traces the links between South and North German composers in the generations prior to Bach. The programme will include works by Krieger, Pachelbel, Froberger, Ritter and Buxtehude.
THE SPIRIT OF GAMBO Thursday 17 April, 6.30-7.30pm Tobias Hume (c1569-1645) was a Scottish soldier and viol player. His ‘Musicall Humors’ for the viol proved to be unsuccessful with the popularity of the lute but he left behind a remarkable array of compositions and glimpses of an eccentric, quarrelsome, yet vulnerable personality. Gordon Waterson (counter tenor), Eszter Komaromi, Esha Neogy and Henry Drummond (viols) explore the music of this intriguing character, contrasted and complemented with compositions of his more successful contemporaries.
A TRIBUTE TO STEPHEN DODGSON Thursday 10 April, 6.30-7.30pm The Original Collective celebrate the life and works of composer and broadcaster Stephen Dodgson (1924-2013). They will perform pieces which reflect his substantial output of chamber works, most notably for recorder, guitar and harpsichord. The Original Collective are Kate Bishop (soprano), Ben Cracknell (recorder), Johan Löfving (guitar) and Sophia Russell (harpsichord, director). www.handelhouse.org | 12 | Booking line 020 7399 1953
April 2014
Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated
FAMILY EVENT: HALLELUJAH EASTER EGG HUNT Sunday 20 April 12-5pm (last entrance 5.30pm) Discover the magic of Handel’s music. Collect a Family Easter pack and solve the riddles and rhymes which will lead you to a chocolatey surprise! Tickets: Included in museum admission price of £6.50 adults, £5.50 concessions and free for children.
Booking line: 020 7399 1953
Pick up a Hands-on Family Trail designed for our younger musical visitors to explore the museum and discover the life of the great composer Handel.
BAROQUE FATHERS Thursday 24 April, 6.30-7.30pm The representation of the older, masculine presence in baroque opera and oratorio, or the father figure, often fell to the tenor, much more so than in modern times, where they are more likely to assume a younger, more romantic or heroic character. Christopher Diffey, accompanied by Mark Austin, will sing a range of baroque arias expressing paternal feelings and emotions, be they in a caring fatherly way or an angry, vengeful one.
SATURDAY TALKS Saturday Talks are delivered by our volunteers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge. Talks last between 15-20 minutes and take place at 3pm. Included in the museum admission price. See our website for more info: www.handelhouse.org.
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Join the Friends By joining the Friends of Handel House you will help preserve this unique London landmark for future generations, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to learn about, experience and make music in the space where it was originally created. As a friend you will enjoy unlimited free entry and priority booking to our weekly concert series, free museum publications and invitations to exclusive member events. Pick up a leaflet or visit our website www.handelhouse.org/support or call 020 7399 1964.
Š Stuart Leech
Booking information FRIENDS BOOKING: Monday 11 November, 10am PUBLIC BOOKING: Monday 25 November, 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.
Registered Charity No. 1006009 New Year and Easter Opening Times New Years Day, 1 January: open 12-6pm Good Friday, 18 April: closed Saturday 19 April: open 10am-6pm Sunday 20 April: open 12-6pm Easter Monday, 21 April: closed
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Entrance to the Museum is around the back of Brook Street in Lancashire Court.
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Handel House Museum 25 Brook Street, Mayfair London W1K 4HB
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Access The museum has full access and facilities for disabled visitors. Please telephone before arrival so that we can best accommodate your needs. 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.
Tel: 020 7495 1685 Fax: 020 7495 1759 Email: mail@handelhouse.org Website: www.handelhouse.org
ADMISSION CHARGES From 1 January 2014 the admission charge to visit Handel House Museum will increase to £6.50 for Adults and £5.50 for Concessions. Charges for Children will remain the same.
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Events at a glance | Booking line: 020 7399 1953 FRIENDS BOOKING: Monday 11 November, 10am PUBLIC BOOKING: Monday 25 November, 10am
January Thursday 2 Thursday 9 Saturday 11 Tuesday 14 Thursday 16 Thursday 23 Saturday 25 Thursday 30
Exhibition Event: Tic-Toc-Clock The Rivals’ Prize: A Conflict of Old and New Exhibition Talk: The Triumph of Music Over Time BHS Recital: Melancholy and Introspection Pluckers Unite! Handel’s Cellists Gossip & Celebrity in the Age of Handel An Offering to Flora
Join the m on H e-ne andel Ho thly wslet use ter on co ncert for upda s tes , e spec ial ev xhibitions e , n t sa much more nd !
February Saturday 1 Exhibition Talk: The Triumph of Music Over Time Wednesday 5 Stanley Sadie Lecture Thursday 6 A Forgotten Rivalry: Sonatas for Viol and Cello Tuesday 11 More Famous than Dad: Music by CPE Bach Thursday 13 Handel and his Rivals Thursday 20 L’Entretien des Dieux Saturday 22 BHS Weekend Recital: Handel’s Duelist Johann Mattheson Sunday 23 Handel’s Birthday Thursday 27 The Art of the Viola
March Saturday 1 Thursday 6 Saturday 8 Tuesday 11 Thursday 13 Thursday 20 Thursday 27 Saturday 29
Exhibition Study Day: She who penetrated the heart Music of London-Town Tweedledum and Tweedledee BHS Recital: Virtuosic Encounters Duality The Never-Ending Buzz Masters of the French Baroque Exhibition Talk: She was Despiséd: Handel and Susannah Cibber
April Thursday 3 Tuesday 8 Thursday 10 Thursday 17 Sunday 20 Thursday 24 Saturday 26
The King of Strings BHS Recital: From Vienna to Lübeck A Tribute to Stephen Dodgson The Spirit of Gambo Family Event: Hallelujah Easter Egg Hunt Baroque Fathers Exhibition Talk: She was Despiséd: Handel and Susannah Cibber
Front cover - Susannah Cibber © The Handel House Trust Ltd