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Handel decides his career needs a change of direction following an important trip to Ireland. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Handel was born in Germany, but he became a naturalised British citizen at the same time that two other native Germans, King George I and King George II, were also learning to be British after their house of Hanover acceded to the crown in 1714. This week, as we head towards the jubilee bank holiday, Donald Macleod uncovers Handel’s fascinating relationship with Britain’s monarchs, and examines how he and the Georgian kings helped kick-start a new age of British culture and identity.

Today, Handel loses one of his staunchest allies within the royal family, and he searches for a new business model as Britain’s theatregoers fall out of love with his beloved Italian opera.

Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline: I. Introduction, II. The Ways of Zion do Morn
Bremen Baroque Orchestra
Alsfelder Vocal Ensemble
conducted by Wolfgang Helbich

Messiah: ‘Every valley shall be exalted’ and No.4 ‘And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed’
Allan Clayton, tenor
Polyphony
Britten Sinfonia
Conducted by Stephen Layton

Israel in Egypt: (extracts from Parts II and III)
The Sixteen
Conducted by Harry Christophers

Concerto Grosso no.12 in B minor
The Academy of Ancient Music
Directed by Andrew Manze

‘Dettingen’ Te Deum: ‘Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day’
The Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge
Christopher Lowrey, countertenor
Robin Firth, tenor
Neal Davies, bass
Academy of Ancient Music
Conducted by Stephen Layton