"I am not one who was born in the custody of wisdom. I am one who is fond of olden times and intense in quest of the sacred knowing of the ancients." Gustave Courbet

23 February 2024

Happy Birthday, Handel

Mercier, George Frederick Handel, 1730


In 1743, following the first London performance of his masterpiece, Messiah, a friend congratulated Handel (born on this day in 1685) on the excellent “entertainment” he had provided the audience.

“My Lord, I should be sorry if I only entertained them,” Handel humbly replied. “I wish to make them better.”

Herve Niquet and Le Concert Spirituel improves us in two minutes, blasting through some Coronation Anthems ...

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