Raise the Roof - New Handel & Art Recordings
Want to join us in making a difference?
We want to ‘Raise the Roof’ and make new Handel world premiere recordings & streamed performances in 2025 and are raising money for our UK Charity
THE LONDON EARLY OPERA COMPANY LTD.
Every donation makes an impact and we can claim UK Gift Aid.
We have been preparing Handel manuscripts for our next new and exciting recordings
coming very soon with our amazing musicians & Signum Records.
Be part of something amazing. The show must go on!
Thanks in advance for your contribution to this important cause that means so
much to us.
”Handel has never sounded better” BBC Music Magazine, 5 Stars ★★★★★
London Early Opera are recording a new album called Handel’s Art World connecting Handel’s exquisite music to the themes from Handel’s personal art collection. The repertoire connects music from the pleasure gardens, cantatas, operatic and instrumental works as well as some unknown masterpieces by Handel to the historical and pastoral themes of his paintings which he owned, including works by Watteau, Canaletto, Hondius, Ricci, Poussin and Goupy. We are collaborating with art historians and the Handel Hendrix House to create this legacy recording and will perform launch concerts at various London venues connected to baroque artistry. Our singers include tenor Nicky Spence as well and baroque instrumentalists from The Handelians emerging artists educational scheme.
Eighteenth-century London was full of arresting sounds of birdsong competing with the bustle of street calls, musical catches, bursts of violinists practising amidst the rattle of carriages as it developed into a thriving, fashionable city. The composer George Frideric Handel was a socially prominent figure and significant as he saw different aspects of London life working for royalty as well as for the poor. He directed the orchestra for the Royal Academy company whilst also performing at and supporting the orphanage, the Foundling Hospital.
There were few places to view paintings publicly at this time other than at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, the Foundling Hospital, the Royal Naval Hospital in Greenwich and outdoors at Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, where Handel inspired the music and William Hogarth influenced the artwork. Unbeknown to many, Handel assembled an art collection from auctions and sales whilst living in Mayfair and was acquainted with many painters and engravers, some of whom had created his own portrait.
To help us view Handel’s art works in another light, this concert programme matches up Handel’s sumptuous music, cantatas and anthems with themes represented in his personal art collection. His genre paintings by Watteau are reflected in his dance music and his landscapes by Poussin and Canaletto hark back to his early years and compositions from Italy. His cantata Venus and Adonis matches Ricci’s painting whilst prints of hunting scenes by Goupy and painting by Hondius are depicted through his cantata, Diana cacciatrice amongst many other musical masterpieces and works of art.
Listen in to 'Or Let the Merry Bells Ring Round' - Soprano - Danni O' Neill
'And young and old come forth to play' - London Early Opera vocal consort
from L 'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, HWV 55 by George Frideric Handel.https://youtu.be/3wRWYzuW9B4
Every amount of support is welcome and you will receive copies of the new album and invitations to events.
Thank you!
Organizer
Bridget Cunningham
Organizer
England
London Early Opera
Beneficiary