On his 338th birthday, celebrating George Frideric Handel’s life in Mayfair and his lauded coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest

Photo credit: © Jonathan Konrath, CC BY-ND 2.0

Handel, born on this day in 1685, lived at 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, for 35 years until his death in 1759. Composer to George I, his most famous works include Messiah, Zadok the Priest and Fireworks Music. Topically, Zadok the Priest was written for the coronation of George II and has been sung at every coronation since so we can anticipate hearing this rousing piece at Charles III’s coronation in May.

You can visit Handel’s home, Handel & Hendrix Museum (yes, another music icon lived on Brook Street too – at 23 Brook Street!) when it reopens in May. Following an exciting restoration project, you can expect to see Handel’s abode just as it was when he lived there. The exhibitions will celebrate both musicians, and life at Brook Street in the 1700s and the 1960s will be explored. It’s really is a fantastically unique and fascinating museum to visit!

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