Handel in the Strand

In the early 1700s, London was quickly becoming the musical hub of Europe, attracting the great Handel himself, alongside a multitude of French and Italian musicians who seized the opportunity to play in London's thriving theatre district. In this programme we capture the spirit of music-making across the city, from theatres to taverns and music in the home.

On the Strand, the most vibrant of London's thorough-fares, and home to most of London's famous music shops and print houses, John Walsh first produced Handel's trio sonatas and Corelli's ever-popular Op. 5 violin sonatas. Only a matter of streets away, Scottish entrepreneurial musicians like James Oswald set up their own music shops along the Strand, feeding the craze for Scottish music in the capital. In the theatres, Handel directed the first performances of his operas and oratorios, working with mezzo-soprano Elisabetta de Gambarini and star oboist Giuseppe Sammartini. Just along the road at the Temple Church, John Playford sold his best-selling books of dance tunes, and we meet Henry Purcell and his teacher John Blow competing in an organ battle!