The World of Composer G. F. Handel: Music, Friendship and Rare Plants with Dennis Dorwick

The music of Georg Frideric Handel (1685-1759) is known by many, but few know many details of his life. This talk focusses on Handel's life and music as well as his life-long friendship with German composer Georg Phillip Telemann (1681-1767).  

As young men they were both obsessed with music but each of their families considered this an unreliable pathway to wealth or an honourable reputation. Thankfully they persisted and found their own musical paths, eventually becoming quite wealthy men.  

Hamburg, a wealthy and cultured north German city, was also important in their lives and in this story. Handel was employed there as a violinist and harpsichordist in the early 1700s. In 1721 Telemann was appointed as Kapellmeister in Hamburg but the following year applied for an attractive position in Leipzig. He was offered the position (ahead of their 3rd choice, J. S. Bach) but turned it down – the Hamburg authorities had countered with pay rise he could not refuse.  

While Handel's Messiah is best known, his musical life was rich with other works as well. The phrase 'Friendship and rare plants' in the title of this talk may be a mystery but is strongly linked to his sense of faithfulness and friendship. 

Your ticket includes tea or Market Lane coffee served before the presentation, and time to browse our exclusive range of books, gifts, and homewares at TJC Emporium.

This event is presented on-site at The Johnston Collection. Please see your ticket for details. NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our house museum, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition can be booked separately.

This event is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust.

Image: George Frideric Handel (detail), attributed to Balthasar Denner, oil on canvas, feigned oval, 1726-1728, NPG 1976, © National Portrait Gallery, London (Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)