Changes

Among the plates which particularly caught my eye was a caricature of Handel, his profile replaced by a hooded pig's snout. This was the work of Joseph Goupy, the scene -painter and for a while his friend, who was entertained to supper by the composer at his home at Brook Street. Handel apologized for the frugal fare as he was temporarily out of funds, promising something better next time, then excused himself from the table 'for a moment'. Goupy waited awhile, then went into the next room and looked through the window to see him tucking heartily into 'claret and French dishes'. Apart from this little lapse, Handel seems to have been well -liked and his death in 1749 was much mourned.

The last chapter concludes with several pages on how Handel's reputation and the popularity of his music has fluctuated since his death, reaching its nadir in the inter-war years of the 20th century but now happily in the ascendant again. Anybody with an interest in 18th -century history or music will enjoy this book. For anyone with only a passing acquaintance with his music, it fills in the picture superbly.

For another classical composer biography, why not try [[Chopin's Funeral by Benita Eisler]], or for another 18th -century life, [[King's Mistress, Queen's Servant: Henrietta Howard by Tracy Borman|King's Mistress, Queen's Servant by Tracy Borman]]. We can also recommend [[The Life of Handel by Victor Schoelcher (Author), Anton de Moresco (Editor), James Lowe (Translator)]].