Handel House Museum May-August Events Brochure

May – August 2013 Music, Events & Exhibitions www.handelhouse.org

Domestic Music

Director’s welcome

This season celebrates the rich array of musical activity that took place in the private sphere of 18th century homes such as 25 Brook Street. Baroque music was perfectly placed in a domestic space.

Composers could rehearse new pieces to select groups before taking them to larger venues, musicians could display and flaunt virtuoso talents in intimate spaces and audiences could have their insatiable desire for opera fulfilled by hearing the latest opera hits in reduced versions.

Everyone was happy!

See opposite for our picks of the ‘domestic music’ season

Front cover ‘The Music Party’: Frederick, Prince of Wales with his Three Eldest Sisters Royal Collection Trust / © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2013 Inside front cover Phillip Reed © The Handel House Trust Ltd

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Season Highlights Museums at Night: Handel by Candle

An Eighteenth Century Musical Soirée

The Baroque Salon

Handel House opens its doors for the first time for the annual UK-wide weekend of late night openings at arts and heritage venues. Admission will be free and tours and family trails will be available all evening. See page 9 for more details.

On 29 June Ensemble Janiculum explore the wide ranging repertoire performed in a domestic setting. This lecture recital will include contemporary letters and Venetian gondoliers’ songs. Page 7

On 4 July violinist Marta Ramirez (winner of the 2012 Trinity Laban Early Music competition) joins forces with Nathaniel Mander and presents music for duos from the high baroque period. Page 10

123 Composition Challenge!

Handel’s Muses

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One of three family events this season, Composition Challenge is a chance for families to create and perform a musical piece together. The afternoon will be led by Composer-inResidence Cevanne HorrocksHopayian. Page 10

What was it like to be the heroine in a brand new Handel opera - to sing music, crafted especially for her voice?

Soprano Sarah Gabriel will explore Handel’s leading female singers over 4 concerts. The first two will focus on Cuzzoni (25 July) and Faustina (8 August) and in September and October, Strada and Duparc.

Pages 11 and 12

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May 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

TELEMANN TREATS Thursday 2 May, 6.30-7.30pm Telemann’s works for recorders are real gems in the recorder repertoire, and favourite pieces for Flautotonic. Join them for an exploration of the clever canonic sonatas, the virtuosic duets and the entertaining concerto for baroque flute and recorder, as well as the Eastern European folk music Telemann heard and loved.

Flautotonic are David Beaney (baroque flute and recorders), Lauren Brant (recorders) and Claire Williams (harpsichord).

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

BHS RECITAL: BACH TO THE THIRD MILLENNIUM Tuesday 14 May, 6.30-7.30pm Join us for a concert of new and old.

Virtuoso harpsichordist and award winning composer Asako Hirabayashi presents Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Couperin with her own compositions which draw stylistic influences from Japan, American Jazz, French Impressionism and Latin and South American rhythms.

FÊTE CHAMPÊTRE Thursday 16 May, 6.30-7.30pm

© Mama Bailey

AN INVITATION TO SPRING Thursday 9 May, 6.30-7.30pm

This programme of French vocal and instrumental music explores the fascinating development of the Gallic idiom from the time of Lully’s predecessors through to the music of Rameau that is both light-hearted and touching. Le Jardin Secret perform and are Elizabeth Dobbin (soprano), Sofie Vanden Eynde (theorbo), Romina Lischka (gamba), David Blunden (harpsichord).

Arcata Baroque performs three seasonal pastoral cantatas: two accounts of springtime from Pepusch and Boismortier and a summery epic from Vivaldi. Arcata Baroque are Elin Harries (soprano), Carina Drury (cello), Nathaniel Mander (harpsichord).

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May 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: HANDEL BY CANDLE Friday 17 May, 6.30-10pm (last admission 9pm)

OBOE DA CAMERA Thursday 23 May, 6.30-7.30pm

Handel House Museum will be lit up in an evening like no other! Join us as part of the ‘Museums at Night’ event and be transported back in time to the Georgian era. Explore the house with candlelit tours and harpsichord recitals throughout the evening.

Family trails and activities will also be available.

Places are limited for the candle lit tour and recital so booking in advance is required.

Canadian ensemble Four Centuries of Bach perform sonatas for oboe and basso continuo by Handel, Telemann, CPE Bach and Hotteterre. Four Centuries of Bach are John Abberger (oboe), Amanda Keesmaat (cello) and Dongsok Shin (harpsichord)

Tour Times: 7-7.30pm, 8-8.30pm and 9-9.30pm, places limited so booking is essential.

The museum will also be open for visitors with free admission from 6.30-10pm.

VOYAGE ACROSS THE FINGERBOARD Thursday 30 May, 6.30-7.30pm Harpsichordist Petra Hajduchova takes us on a journey across Europe and explores the musical styles of Italy, Germany, France and Bohemia.

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June 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

Niusia Winczewska

FAMILY EVENT: TOURS FOR FOURS AND UP!

LA FOLLIA Thursday 6 June, 6.30-7.30pm La Follia Duo present La Follia

by Corelli, a sonata by JS Bach arranged for flute and cello and works by Telemann for two solo instruments. La Follia Duo are Sara Minelli (flute), Katy Whittle (cello).

BHS WEEKEND RECTIAL: JACQUES DUPHLY Saturday 8 June, 2-4pm The British Harpsichord Society hosts an afternoon of music making led by Nathaniel Mander with Carole Cerasi and Rachel Factor. They will explore the exquisite and intricate harpsichord works of the Parisian Composer Jacques Duphly.

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

Sunday 2 June, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm Discover Handel House in a fun and engaging tour that invites the whole family to join in and discover where Handel slept, ate and composed wonderful music! Tours are aimed at 4 to 9 year olds but younger siblings are also welcome. Tours last approx 15 minutes and are drop-in.

BHS RECITAL: MUFFAT, FATHER AND SON Tuesday 11 June, 6.30-7.30pm Naoko Akutagawa performs the world premiere of recently discovered works by Father and Son composers Georg Muffat (1653-1704) and Gottlieb Muffat (1690-1770).

AROUND THE SCANDALOUS VIRTUOSI LOUIS MARCHAND Thursday 13 June, 6.30-7.30pm Harpsichordist Asako Ogawa explores the music of Louis Marchand (1669-1732), one of the most famous keyboard virtuosi of his day. The programme unfolds the music of contemporary masters who crossed their paths with this scandalous celebrity.

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June 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

HANDEL AND MRS CIBBER Saturday 15 June, 2-3.30pm

MUSIQUE PARISIENNE Thursday 27 June, 6.30-7.30pm

Handel and Mrs Cibber is an affectionate evocation of the great friendship of the composer with one of his favourite singers. This musical portrait is a celebration of words and music and will be performed by Sue Powell (writer), Nancy Cole (mezzosoprano) and Julian Perkins (harpsichord).

Tickets: £12, £6 students

Music in France during the baroque period would attract the admiration of audiences and musicians from all over Europe. The Saltarello Ensemble return to perform works by Dornet, Loeillet, Morel and Telemann, accompanied by curious takes of the composer’s lives. Performers are Heidi Fardell & Kirsten Halliday (recorders), Alison Kinder (viola da gamba) and Nathaniel Mander (harpsichord).

AN EIGHTEENTH CENTURY MUSICAL SOIRÉE Saturday 29 June, 2-3.30pm Janiculum explore this season’s theme of Domestic Music with works by JC Bach, Bononcini, Giardini, Pasquali, Handel, traditional Scottish songs, and Venetian gondoliers’ songs interspersed with contemporary letters. Janiculum are Marie Vassiliou (soprano), Harry Nicoll (tenor), John Trusler (violin), Graham Walker (cello) and Jane Clark (harpsichord).

A NOBLE ENTERTAINMENT Thursday 20 June, 6.30-7.30pm The Parnassian Ensemble presents virtuoso baroque works by Handel, Purcell and Croft along with other composers known to Brook Street’s most illustrious 18th century resident. The Parnassian Ensemble are Sophie Middleditch and Helen Hooker (recorders), Lynden Cranham (baroque cello) and David Pollock (harpsichord).

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Exhibition and displays

Exhibitions are included in admission charge: £6, £5 concessions, £2 children (free on weekends)

COMING SOON A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF HANDEL: 1713 From July 2013 16 April – 28 July 2013 This exhibition traces the 300 year history of Handel’s house from its construction in 1721-22 up to the present day. As well as describing the structural changes that have happened to the building over nearly 300 years, the exhibition highlights the lives and careers of the other residents who lived and worked here after Handel’s death in 1759. Residents include an apothecary, an author, dentists, interior designer and an antique dealer.

© The Handel House Trust Ltd

A new display focusing on one year in Handel’s life.

HANDEL BUST On display at Handel House is a magnificent marble bust of George Frideric Handel, on loan from the Royal Collection.

Attributed to French sculptor Louis-François Roubiliac (17021762), the bust has been in possession of the Royal Family since its creation.

Royal Collection © 2012 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

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Special Event

Free admission from 6.30-10pm (last admission 9pm)

MUSEUMS AT NIGHT: HANDEL BY CANDLE Friday 17 May, 6.30-10pm (last admission 9pm) See Handel House Museum in a new light: by candlelight. As part of the UK-wide ‘Museums at Night’, let Handel House transport you back in time to Georgian London. Explore the house with candlelit tours and harpsichord recitals throughout the evening. Family trails and activities will also be available. Places are limited for the candle lit tour and recital so booking in advance is required.

Museums at Night is the annual after-hours celebration of arts, culture and heritage when hundreds of museums, galleries, libraries, archives and heritage sites open their doors for special evening events. It takes place over the weekend of Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 May. www.museumsatnight.org.uk.

Tour Times: 7-7.30pm, 8-8.30pm and 9-9.30pm, places limited so booking is essential.

The museum will also be open for visitors with free admission from 6.30-10pm.

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July 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

THE BAROQUE SALON Thursday 4 July, 6.30-7.30pm

OBBLIGATO Thursday 11 July, 6.30-7.30pm

2012 Trinity Laban Early Music Competition winner Marta Ramirez (violin) and Nathaniel Mander (harpsichord) explore the fashionable duo repertoire from the high baroque. Music by Handel, Couperin and a performance of JS Bach’s sublime Sonata in E major.

Join the musicians of South Bank Baroque for an exploration of JS Bach’s treatment for voice and obbligato flute within Cantata arias.

How does this relationship work and are there similarities in his writing for solo flute and harpsichord obbligato?

South Bank Baroque are Gwendolen Martin (soprano), David Beaney (recorder/baroque flute) and Claire Williams (harpsichord).

Nathaniel Mander

Marta Ramirez

BHS RECITAL: FRENCH FLAMBOYANCE Tuesday 9 July, 6.30-7.30pm Katarzyna Kowalik explores the French ornate style and its influence on German composers through works by Chambonnieres, d’Anglebert, Rameau, Fux and Gottlieb Muffat.

FAMILY EVENT: COMPOSITION CHALLENGE! Saturday 13 July 2-3pm Join this fun and interactive music making workshop with Composer-in-Residence Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian who will introduce some of Handel’s music before you get the chance to compose a brand new piece to be performed at the end.

Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Suitable for children aged 7+. Booking advised as numbers are limited.

Tickets: £5 for adults, free for children

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July 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

HEROES & MADMEN: THE ART OF THE CASTRATO Thursday 18 July, 6.30-7.30pm Counter tenor Randall Scotting explores the heroic roles written for the castrati in Italian baroque opera. Arias from Handel’s Orlando, Agrippina, Oreste and Giulio Cesare will be interspersed with works by his contemporaries Bononcini, Caldara and Hasse.

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

HANDEL’S MUSES: CUZZONI Thursday 25 July, 6.30-7.30pm In the first of 4 concerts, Sarah Gabriel investigates the life of Italian soprano Francesca Cuzzoni (1696-1778) and the music Handel composed for her to showcase her outstanding voice. ‘Handel’s Muses’ explores the extraordinary motifs and stylistic quirks that Handel exploited to show off their celebrated voices; the unique styles and flourishes that suited the dramatic talents and beautiful sounds of four utterly distinctive operatic muses.

Randall Scotting

SATURDAY TALKS AT 3PM Saturday Talks are delivered by our volunteers and are suitable for all levels of knowledge. Talks last between 15-20 minutes and are included in the museum admission price.

See our website for more information www.handelhouse.org.

FRIENDS BOOKING: Tuesday 19 March, 10am PUBLIC BOOKING: Tuesday 2 April, 10am

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August 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

SEMPER DOWLAND, SEMPER DOLENS Thursday 1 August, 6.30-7.30pm John Dowland, one of the greatest composers of the Elizabethan era and the most celebrated English lutenist of his time, was born in 1563. To mark the 450th anniversary of his birth Yair Avidor has selected pieces that show the full gamut of Dowland’s fascinating style in all the musical forms he worked in.

HANDEL’S MUSES: FAUSTINA Thursday 8 August, 6.30-7.30pm Sarah Gabriel (soprano) explores Handel’s writing for Italian mezzosoprano and ‘rival’ to Cuzzoni: Faustina Bordoni (1697-1781). ‘Handel’s Muses’ explores the extraordinary motifs and stylistic quirks that Handel exploited to show off their celebrated voices; the unique styles and flourishes that suited the dramatic talents and beautiful sounds of four utterly distinctive operatic muses.

RNIB COMPOSITION SUMMER SCHOOL CONCERT Friday 9 August, 6-7pm From the 5th - 9th August Handel House Museum and the RNIB will hold its annual summer school for talented young blind and partially sighted composers who are either planning to or are currently studying music at university. This will be an opportunity for the students to work with the Handel House Composer-in-Residence and also professional musicians who will premiere their work in this concert.

HANDEL IN YOUR OWN HOME Sunday 11 August, 2-3.30pm With strong demand to reproduce the famous tunes heard at the theatre for the home, enterprising publishers scrambled to be first with arrangements of the biggest hits of the day. With the focus more on profit than practicality, this led to publications such as Handel’s Rinaldo condensed into an arrangement for recorder and keyboard. This lecture/ recital will explore some of Handel’s most famous compositions as they might have been heard in the homes of his many fans. Nicola Loten (flute) and Thomas Breeze (harpsichord) perform.

Tickets: £12, £6 students

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August 2013

Tickets: £9, £5 students unless otherwise stated

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

FAMILY EVENT: ‘GEORGIE PORGIE, PUDDIN’ AND PIE’

BHS RECITAL: BACH PARTITAS Tuesday 13 August, 6.30-7.30pm Although modestly titled Clavier Übung (Keyboard Practice), the six keyboard Partitas by JS Bach consist of Preludes, Allemandes, Courantes, Sarabandes, Gigues, Menuets, and other galanteries, offered by their composer ‘to music lovers as refreshment for their spirits’. Performed by Malcolm Proud.

Sunday 18 August, 2-3pm Musicians from Saltarello will lead families through some of the most popular tunes and nursery rhymes that were sung during the reign of King George I & II. This is a drop-in event and is suitable for families with children aged 0 – 11 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Tours included in admission charge.

THEATRE AND SALON MUSIC Thursday 22 August, 6.30-7.30pm

ITALIAN AND ENGLISH CHAMBER MUSIC Thursday 15 August, 6.30-7.30pm The programme focuses on Italian and English chamber sonatas and songs with recorders and basso continuo by composers Biagio Marini and Henry Purcell. Siderum Pulvis Ensemble are Bethany Horak-Hallet (soprano), Norman MacSween (harpsichord and baroque flute), Michael Praner and Enrico Zanoni (recorders).

A sparkling mix of solo sonatas and arias reflecting the public life of professional music taking place on the stages and concert platforms of London, with the newly emerging desire for amateur and domestic music making.

Il Bacio are Anna Dennis (soprano), Ann Allen (baroque oboe), Liam Byrne (viola da gamba) and Tom Foster (harpsichord).

VIRTUES AND VICES Thursday 29 August, 6.30-7.30pm This recital is inspired by the Moral Cantatas of Telemann mixed with music from London’s Pleasure Gardens which allowed visitors to enjoy all aspects of nature and life. Baroque Encounter are Glenn Kesby (counter tenor), Lauren Brant (recorders) and Claire Williams (harpsichord).

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Special Events

Tickets: £12. 10% discount when you buy a ticket for all 4 concerts

Booking line: 020 7399 1953

RICHARD EGARR IN RESIDENCE: BACH’S FRENCH SUITES Monday 9 September, 6-7pm and 7.30-8.30pm Tuesday 10 September, 6-7pm and 7.30-8.30pm Richard Egarr, Music Director of Academy of Ancient Music, returns for the third consecutive year at Handel House. Spaced over 4 concerts on 2 days, Richard and friends will perform JS Bach’s French Suites BWV 812–817 interspersed with works by Handel.

Tickets: £12 Friends booking: Tuesday 19 March, 10am Public booking: Tuesday 2 April, 10am © Marco Borggreve

SER DISC IES OUN T 10% disco you b unt w uy a hen tick all 4 conc et for erts

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Booking information FRIENDS BOOKING: Tuesday 19 March, 10am PUBLIC BOOKING: Tuesday 2 April, 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.

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Tube: Bond Street/Oxford Circus Bus: Numerous buses to Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street.

Cavendish Square

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Entrance to the Museum is around the back of Brook Street in Lancashire Court.

Opening Times Tuesday-Saturday 10am-6pm (8pm on Thursday), Sunday 12pm-6pm. Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Closed on Mondays and Bank Holidays (Monday 6 and 27 May and Monday 26 August).

ry Ave

Handel House Museum 25 Brook Street, Mayfair London W1K 4HB

Registered Charity No. 1006009

Davies St

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

FAMILY EVENTS Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Drop-in sessions are included in admission charge of £6 adults, £5 concessions, free for children.

Events at a glance | Booking line: 020 7399 1953 FRIENDS BOOKING: Tuesday 19 March, 10am PUBLIC BOOKING: Tuesday 2 April, 10am

May

Thursday 2 Thursday 9 Tuesday 14 Thursday 16 Friday 17 Thursday 23 Thursday 30

June

Sunday 2 Thursday 6 Saturday 8 Tuesday 11 Thursday 13 Saturday 15 Thursday 20 Thursday 27 Saturday 29

July

Thursday 4 Tuesday 9 Thursday 11 Saturday 13 Thursday 18 Thursday 25

August Thursday 1 Thursday 8 Friday 9 Sunday 11 Tuesday 13 Thursday 15 Sunday 18 Thursday 22 Thursday 29

Telemann Treats An Invitation to Spring BHS Recital: Bach to the Third Millennium Fête champêtre Museums at Night: Handel by Candle Oboe da Camera Voyage Across the Fingerboard

Family event: Tours for fours and up!

La Follia BHS Weekend Rectial: Jacques Duphly BHS Recital: Muffat, Father and Son Around the Scandalous Virtuosi Louis Marchand Handel and Mrs Cibber A Noble Entertainment Musique Parisienne An Eighteenth Century Musical Soirée

The Baroque Salon BHS Recital: French Flamboyance Obbligato Family event: Composition Challenge!

Heroes & Madmen: the art of the castrato Handel’s Muses: Cuzzoni

Semper Dowland, semper dolens Handel’s Muses: Faustina RNIB Composition Summer School Concert Handel in your own Home BHS Recital: Bach Partitas Italian and English Chamber Music Family Event: ‘Georgie Porgie, Puddin’ and Pie’ Theatre and Salon music Virtues and Vices

Join the m on H e-ne andel Ho thly wslet use t er on co ncert for upda s, e tes spec ial ev xhibitions e , n t s much a more nd !