Thursday 17 May 2012

Burlington, Brook Street, Hanover Square...

Just a few of my favourite Handel stomping grounds, and I get to visit them all imminently. I wonder if Handel would approve of Crossrail? Or trains, come to think of it! I like to think that he's just around the corner, slightly out of vision, always one step ahead of me, but there nonetheless.

Friday 11 May 2012

The opera

I went to the opera last night, not to see a Handel production, but ENO's beautiful Madame Butterfly. The production was stunning, and in the intervals I indulged in a bit of people-watching. This past-time easily dates back to the 18th century, and as I spied a smattering of supermodels, celebrities and familiar faces, I was again reminded of how little things have changed since Handel's time. Luckily the vogue for fruit-throwing has gone out of fashion (though I doubt many could have found fault with this production), but people still talk through the performance (sadly) and munch away on sweets and snacks, though not full-blown banquets in the 21st century. No capon for dinner, at least not in the middle of Act 2.

Friday 4 May 2012

Describing Handel

I had a meeting yesterday with a potential director for a staged Handel offering. I had one hour to win him over to the project, so I decided to tell him what it is I love about Handel and his music. Why is it still so important and relevant, over 250 years after his death? What is his universal appeal? Well - I'm not going to list everything here, but in a nutshell, I believe that one of the reasons he is still so popular and admired is that he translates beautifully into the present day, like any great artist. He was clearly of his time in mid 18th century London, but equally, I can imagine him today, programming a website, trading stocks and shares and exploring new musical possibilities. He'd feel totally at home with the London coffee culture too!