Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Kate Molleson invites us to join Georg Frideric Handel on five summer soirees from across his life. Today, a voyage over the Irish Sea for the premiere of his superhit, Messiah.

Kate Molleson joins Handel in the city where he released his biggest hit – Messiah.

When he arrived in London in 1712, German-born George Frideric Handel was already one of Europe’s most exciting musical minds. Over the next decades he would not only carve a living for himself, but transform British musical life, from the opera stage to the choir stalls, and hardwire his legacy into our culture. All this week, Kate Molleson tells the stories of five summer soirees from across his life in the British Isles – golden evenings of 18th-century music making, and some of his most eventful performances.

Today, Handel takes a packet boat over the Irish Sea to Dublin. In his suitcase is his latest work, Messiah – and he has a hunch the locals will like it. But first, he has to drum up a following, and find some musicians…

Messiah, Part I: For unto us a child is born
Dunedin Consort
John Butt, harpsichord and director

L’Allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato: As steals the morn
Rachel Redmond, soprano
James Way, tenor
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie, conductor

Alexander’s Feast, Part I (excerpt)
Nancy Argenta, soprano
The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra
Harry Christophers, conductor

Messiah, Part 2 (excerpt)
Susan Hamilton, soprano
Clare Wilkinson, alto
Dunedin Consort
John Butt, harpsichord and director

Messiah, Part 3: Worthy is the lamb…Amen
Dunedin Consort
John Butt, harpsichord and director

Produced by Amelia Parker for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wales and West

59 minutes

Music Played

  • George Frideric Handel

    Messiah, Part I: For unto us a child is born

    Ensemble: Dunedin Consort. Director: John Butt.
    • LINN RECORDS : CKD-284.
    • LINN RECORDS.
    • 13.
  • George Frideric Handel

    L'Allegro, il penseroso ed il moderato: As steals the morn

    Singer: Rachel Redmond. Singer: James Way. Ensemble: Les Arts Florissants. Director: William Christie.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI : HAF 890535960.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 21.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Alexander's Feast, Part I (excerpt)

    Performer: Nancy Argenta. Performer: The Sixteen. Performer: Sixteen Orchestra. Conductor: Harry Christophers.
    • CORO : 16-028.
    • CORO.
    • 22.
  • George Frideric Handel

    Messiah, Part 2 (excerpt)

    Ensemble: Dunedin Consort. Singer: Clare Wilkinson. Singer: Susan Hamilton. Conductor: John Butt.
    • LINN RECORDS : LINN-CKD285.
    • LINN RECORDS.
    • 14.

Broadcast

  • Thu 7 Sep 2023 12:00

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.