Fit for a King, Queen, Princess and Prince
Donald Macleod delves into Handel’s relationship with the British royal family, from coronations to court rivalries and shifts in patronage.
Donald Macleod explores Handel’s position at the heart of royal life in Britain, where patronage brought both prestige and pressure. With the accession of George II, Handel supplied music on the grandest scale, writing for coronations, royal ceremonies and public celebration. Yet royal favour was rarely straightforward: competing courts, shifting alliances and changing public taste all shaped his fortunes. While the King and Queen supported him, rival factions – including the Prince of Wales – backed alternative musical ventures, turning London’s operatic world into a battleground. Even at the height of court success, Handel faced artistic and financial strain, alongside personal challenges.
Coronation Anthem: Zadok the Priest
Westminster Abbey Choir
Trevor Pinnock, conductor
Simon Preston, organ
Coronation Anthem: My heart is inditing
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, conductor
Riccardo Primo: Act III chorus
Basel Chamber Orchestra
Paul Goodwin, conductor
Atalanta: Overture
Capella Savaria
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Alexander’s Feast: excerpts
Ludus Baroque
Richard Neville-Towle, conductor
Sophie Bevan, soprano
Funeral Anthem for Queen Carolinel
Alsfelder Vocal Ensemble
Bremen Baroque Orchestra
Wolfgang Helbich, conductor
Last on
Music Played
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George Frideric Handel
Zadok the Priest
Performer: Trevor Pinnock. Choir: Choir of Westminster Abbey. Orchestra: The English Concert. Director: Simon Preston.- Deutsche Grammophon 478 5183.
- Deutsche Grammophon.
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George Frideric Handel
My heart is inditing
Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.- CORO : 160-66.
- CORO.
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George Frideric Handel
Riccardo Primo, Re d'Inghilterra, HWV.23 Act 3: La memoria dei tormenti
Orchestra: Kammerorchester Basel. Director: Paul Goodwin. Singer: Lawrence Zazzo. Singer: Núria Rial. Singer: Geraldine McGreevy. Singer: Timothy Mead. Singer: David Wilson‐Johnson. Singer: Curtis Streetman.- DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI : 886971742-12.
- DEUTSCHE HARMONIA MUNDI.
- 27.
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George Frideric Handel
Atalanta Overture
Performer: Capella Savaria. Singer: Katalin Farkas. Conductor: Nicholas McGegan.- HUNGAROTON : HCD 12612-14.
- HUNGAROTON.
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George Frideric Handel
Alexander's Feast, Part 1: The prince, unable to conceal his pain
Singer: Sophie Bevan. Orchestra: Ludus Baroque. Conductor: Richard Neville-Towle.- DELPHIAN : DCD-34094.
- DELPHIAN.
- 18.
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George Frideric Handel
The Ways of Zion Do Mourn
Ensemble: Alsfeld Vocal Ensemble. Orchestra: Bremen Baroque Orchestra. Conductor: Wolfgang Helbich. Singer: Graham Pushee. Singer: Harry van der Kamp. Singer: Harry Van Berne.- CPO : 999244-2.
- CPO.
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Broadcast
- Today 16:00BBC Radio 3
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