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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