Handel the Gourmand

Synopsis

Lucie Skeaping talks to chef Clarissa Dickson Wright about Handel's love of food.

Contemporary pictures and biographers depicted the composer as being over-interested in food, and having a 'great appetite'. From the famous London chop houses and al fresco picnics along the Thames to new spices and curries, Lucie and Clarissa explore eating and drinking habits in Handel's day.

Handel: A Sinfony - Allegro Postillions (Belshazzar's Feast)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock (conductor)
Archiv 4770372 CD 3 Track 1

Handel: Chorus: Ye tutelary gods of our empire; Air: Let the deep bowl thy praise confess (Belshazzar's Feast: Act 2 Sc 2)
Belshazzar ...... Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor)
Choir of the English Concert
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock (conductor)
Archiv 4770372 CD 2 Tracks 13, 14

Handel: Recit: Romilda infida; Aria: Troppo oltraggi la mia fede (Serse)
Nuria Rial (soprano)
Lawrence Zazzo (countertenor)
Kammerorchester Basel
Laurence Cummings (harpsichord/conductor)
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 88697214722 Tracks 2, 3

Handel: Recit: Me infelice; Arietta: Del mio caro Bacco amabile (Serse)
Elviro ...... Antonio Abete (baritone)
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie (director)
Virgin Classics 5457112 CD 2 Tracks 33, 34

Handel: Country Dance I; II
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord/director)
Archiv 423 1501 CD 1 Track 18

Handel: Rigaudon (Water Music Suite in D/G, HWV 349/350)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock (harpsichord/director)
Archiv 423 1501 CD 1 Track 13

Richard Leveridge: The Roast Beef of Old England
Lucie Skeaping (mezzo-soprano)
The Broadside Band
Jeremy Barlow (director)
Saydisc Records CD-SDL 400 Track 7

Handel: Alexander's Feast: Bacchus, ever fair and young
Michael George (bass-baritone)
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers (director)
Collins Classics 70162 CD 1 Track 12

Handel: Dixit Dominus (1st mvt)
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers (conductor)
Coro COR16076 Track 13

Handel: Organ concerto, Op 7 No 3 (1st mvt - Allegro)
Ton Koopman (organ)
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Erato 88137 CD 1 Track 11

Handel: Messiah: His Yoke is easy
Taverner Choir and Players
Andrew Parrott (director)
Virgin Veritas 5 61330 2 CD 1 Track 19.

Broadcast

1. Sun 15 Nov 2009
   13:00
   BBC Radio 3