GOD ROT TUNBRIDGE WELLS! (TV)
Summary
In this biographical account of composer George Frideric Handel (1685-1759), Trevor Howard portrays the elderly Handel, who reflects on his life, career, and musical accomplishments. The program, filmed in England, Germany, Italy, and Ireland, recreates events in Handel's life and includes performances of his works. The story begins with a performance of Handel's "Messiah" in Tunbridge Wells, England. Afterward, alone in his room, Handel complains about the quality of the performance and expresses his thoughts about society. In a flashback, the boy Handel plays the organ and impresses his elders with his keyboard virtuosity. Following the flashback, the elderly Handel discusses his experiences as a young man in Halle and Lubeck, where he became embroiled in duels and barroom brawls; his acquaintance with the famous organist Dietrich Buxtehude in Lubeck; his move to Florence, where he met Prince Ferdinando de' Medici and one of his most important sponsors, the Marquess of Ruspoli; his experiences in Hamburg, Rome, Dusseldorf, and eventually, London; and the composition of his "Water Music." In another flashback, the young Handel is shown participating in a piano competition with Domenico Scarlatti. Also included is a performance by organist Karl Ehricht, who is shown playing Handel's own organ in Halle, Germany, his birthplace; an excerpt from the aria "La sorte mia tiranna" from the opera "Xerxes," sung by Roger Cleverdon; and an excerpt from the aria "Cara sposa amato" from the opera "Radamisto," sung by Andrew Dalton. This part concludes with a performance of "Happy We," sung by Valerie Masterson and Anthony Rolfe-Johnson.
Next is a performance of an excerpt from Handel's Organ Concerto, op. 7, No. 5, by organist Simon Preston and the Extremely Ancient Academy of Singers. Handel discusses his troubles with women, particularly singers; the accusation of plagiarism leveled against him, and the resulting trial; his growing health problems; his trip to Ireland; his last will and testament; and his "Royal Fireworks Music," written for King George II of England. Also included in this part are performances of the following arias: "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth" from Handel's "Messiah," sung by Elizabeth Harwood; "Ombra mai fu" from the opera "Xerxes," sung by James Bowman; excerpts from "Awake the Ardour of My Breast" and "Let Envy Then Conceal Her Head," both sung by John Shirley-Quirk; and two arias from the oratorio "Judas Maccabeus": "But Who May Abide," sung by Emma Kirkby, and "See the Conquering Hero Comes," sung by Lynn Anderson and Judith Howarth. The complete Passacaglia from Keyboard Suite No. 7 is performed by Andrei Garrilov on a modern piano. The program concludes with the final portion of the "Hallelujah Chorus" from the "Messiah."
Details
- NETWORK: Channel 4 (United Kingdom)
- DATE: April 6, 1985 Saturday
- RUNNING TIME: 1:58:47
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T90:0022
- GENRE: Drama; Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Biography; Music
- SERIES RUN: Channel 4 (United Kingdom) - TV, 1985
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Reiner Moritz … Executive Producer
- Tony Palmer … Producer
- John Osborne … Writer
- George Frideric Handel … Music by
- Charles Mackerras … Conductor
- English Chamber Orchestra … Symphony Orchestra
- Valerie Masterson … Singer
- Anthony Rolfe-Johnson … Singer
- Andrew Dalton … Singer
- Roger Cleverdon … Singer
- Wandsworth School Choir, The … Choir/Chorus
- Glyn Harvey … Choral Director
- Trevor Howard … Cast, the elderly Handel
- David Griffiths … Cast, the middle-aged Handel
- Christopher Bramwell … Cast, the young Handel
- Ronald Neilson … Cast, Handel as a boy
- Tracey Spence … Cast, Mary Granville
- Anne Downie … Cast, Vittoria Tarquini
- Simon Donald … Cast, Prince Ruspoli
- Peter Stanger … Cast, Dominico Scarlatti
- Beth Robens … Cast, Handel's Mother
- Mitzi Mueller … Cast, Francesca Cuzzoni
- Elizabeth Lax … Cast, The Second Soprano
- Chris Young … Cast, Buxtehude
- Caroline Woolley … Cast, Marie Sallé
- Shona Drummond … Cast, The Handmaiden
- Isabella Connell … Cast, The Princess of Wales
- John Hibbs … Cast, Various Affronted Persons