Radio 3

Donald Macleod follows Handel’s move north to Hanover and his increasingly decisive drift towards London. Appointed to the Elector’s court, he secured generous terms - including the freedom to travel - and wasted little time in doing so. London proved irresistible: success with Rinaldo made him a sensation, and the pull of the city soon outweighed his duties back in Germany. Handel’s returns to Hanover became brief and reluctant, as he repeatedly slipped back across the Channel in search of opportunity. The situation took an unexpected turn when his employer, the Elector Georg Ludwig, inherited the British throne as George I - leaving Handel, now firmly established in London, dependent once again on the favour of the very patron from whom he had struggled to run away... Eternal Source of Light Divine Elin Manahan Thomas, soprano Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Harry Christophers, conductor In den angenehmen Büschen (Nine German Arias) Emma Kirkby, soprano London Baroque Rinaldo: Overture Freiburger Barockorchester René Jacobs, conductor Silla: Overture London Handel Orchestra Denys Darlow, conductor Il pastor fido: Sol nel mezzo risona del core Allan Clayton, tenor The Mozartists Ian Page, conductor Water Music Suite No. 2 in D major The English Concert Trevor Pinnock, conductor Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales