So, what is the Handel and Haydn Society?

The Handel and Haydn Society is a chorus and period-instrument orchestra with performances in Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Society was founded in 1815 by a group of Boston merchants seeking to enrich the city's cultural life. Click here to learn more about our history.

Who are Handel and Haydn?

G. F. Handel (1685-1759) was one of the greatest composers of the eighteenth century, a revered figure in his own lifetime whose music has remained popular from his day to our own. German by birth, Handel was a true cosmopolitan, ending up first in Italy before journeying to England in 1713. Handel worked in London for the rest of his life. There he produced an extraordinary range of music, including Italian operas, English oratorios, sacred anthems, instrumental concertos, and chamber music.

One of the brightest lights of the Viennese Classical period, Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) had become the most famous composer in all of Europe by the 1780's. Haydn spent much of his career working as the court composer for Prince Esterházy on his estate near Vienna, where he had the freedom to develop his compositional genius fully, with the excellent players of the Prince's orchestra always at his disposal. His fame spread as his string quartets, symphonies, and piano sonatas became known across Europe through publications, and when the old Prince died in 1790, his newly-freed servant was quickly invited to England. There he was met with a hero's welcome, and on his return to Vienna, Haydn was finally recognized in his own home-town as a great genius. The Handel and Haydn Society has a direct connection with Haydn's London orchestra, as one of the Society's founders was J.C.G. Graupner, who played oboe for Haydn before coming to America.)

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Do you only play music by Handel and Haydn?

Despite our name, the Society doesn't exclusively play the music of Handel and Haydn. The name has always been a statement of recognition, not a statement of purpose. The intent was to honor the greatest of the "old" composers (Handel) and the greatest of the "new" composers (Haydn). This commitment to artistic innovation would inspire the Society to present countless significant American and Boston premieres by such esteemed composers as Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Verdi. In more recent seasons, the Society has participated in world premieres by Sir John Tavener, Daniel Pinkham, and Dan Welcher.

What music are you performing this season?

Highlights of the 2008-2009 Season include Handel's Coronation Anthems, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Orfeo, Brahms' First Symphony, and Haydn'sThe Creation. Click here for more information about our 2008-2009 Season.

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Who is your conductor?

Sir Roger Norrington serves as Artistic Advisor and will be conducting two concerts in the upcoming season. He is joined by other members of the Society's Artistic leadership as well as guest conducts throughout the year.

Grant Llewellyn served as the Society's Music Director from 2001 until 2006 and now holds the position of Principal Conductor. He will lead two programs in the 2008-2009 Season, including Haydn's The Creation at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in May 2009..

Christopher Hogwood had served as Artistic Director from 1986 to 2001 and now holds the title of Conductor Laureate. His last appearance with Handel and Haydn was in "Classical Masters" in March 2008.

In addition to being the Society's Chorusmaster, John Finney also holds the position of Associate Conductor and will lead the Chorus and Period-Instrument Orchestra in this season's "A Bach Christmas" at Jordan Hall.

In addition, the Society welcomes three esteemed guests conductors. Harry Christophers will conduct "Celebrate Handel," Paul Daniel leads the 155th annual performances of Handel's Messiah, and Jean-Marie Zeitouni will take the baton for "Music at Fever Pitch."

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