Handel’s Harem: "A Fiddler" and His Muses

Though highly celebrated in London, Handel was famously rejected as a suitor by the mother of his student Elizabeth Legh, who dismissed him as a mere 'fiddler'. This recital explores the intimate circle of female patrons, collectors, and artists who championed his work.

Through a seamless blend of music and spoken anecdotes, the performance weaves together virtuosic harpsichord solos and cantatas collected by Legh, alongside arias written for some of his most long-serving singers. The evening brings their performances to life using the vivid, firsthand letters and writings of his close friends Mary Delany and Lady Egmont, offering a unique glimpse behind the music.