Handel’s Water Music makes its royal premiere
George I throws a Thames party featuring a classical soundtrack
Almost three years after George I had succeeded to the British throne, the Elector of Hanover was not exactly the most popular man in the country. With his thick accent, he still struck most people as irredeemably German. To compound matters, his son seemed determined to eclipse him, pointedly throwing huge parties that left his father looking soul-numbingly boring. What was a king to do?
The answer was a theatrical spectacular that still resonates down the ages. On the evening of 17 July, the monarch boarded an open barge at 9hitehaNN and set oʘ WR the 6haOes towards %heNsea 6he first $ritish daiN[ newsRaRer, the Daily Courant, takes WR the stor[
“Many other Barges with Persons of Quality attended, and so great a Number of Boats, that the whole River in a manner was cover’d; a City Company’s Barge was employ’d for the Musick, wherein were 50 instruments of all sorts, who play’d all the way from Lambeth the finest 5[ORhonies, coORosod eZRress Hor this Occasion, by Mr Hendel; which his Majesty
liked so well, that he caus’d it to be plaid over three times in going and returning”.
‘Mr Hendel’ was, of course, the great George Frideric Handel, who had once worked for George in Hanover. Some said the future king had been oʘended b[ *andeNos NWcratiXe OoXe to London, but the Water Music was the perfect way to rebuild their relationship. The banks of the Thames were packed with sightseers; many people declared they had heard nothing like it.
The king was clearly delighted with Handel’s eʘorts, and the Rart[ went on weNN into the night. “At Eleven his Majesty went a-shore at Chelsea where a Supper was prepar’d,” said the Courant, “and then there was another very fine %oncert oH /Wsick, which Nasted tiNN two after which, his Majesty came again into his Barge, and return’d the same Way, the Musick continuing to play until he landed”.