Handel House Museum

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Handel House. Note the blue plaque

The Handel House Museum at 25 Brook Street, in the exclusive central London district of Mayfair was the home of the German born baroque composer George Frideric Handel from 1723 until his death at the house in 1759. He composed works such as The Messiah, Zadok the Priest and the Fireworks Music there.

1 The museum
2 Opening hours and events
3 Jimi Hendrix
4 External links

[edit] The museum

The house has been restored to look as it did during Handel's occupancy. A typical early 18th century London terraced house it comprises a basement, three main storeys and an attic, and Handel was the first occupant. The attic was later converted into a fourth full floor. The ground floor is now a music and gift shop and the upper floors are leased to a charity called the Handel House Trust, and have been open to the public since 8 November 2001. The interiors have been restored to the somewhat spartan style of Georgian era, using mostly architectural elements from elsewhere, as other than the staircase, few of the original interior features survived. The Handel House Collection Trust has assembled a collection of Handel memorabilia, including the Byrne Collection of several hundred items, which was acquired in 1998.

[edit] Opening hours and events

The house is open to the public six days a week (closed Mondays). The museum has a lively events programme including live music, changing exhibitions, lectures and children's educational events. Several performances of baroque music are staged each month, recitals are sometimes during opening hours, but more usually in the early evening for a separate charge.

[edit] Jimi Hendrix

The museum also incorporates the upper floors of its neighbour, 23 Brook Street, which in a striking musical contrast was the home of rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix in 1968–9. This section of the house is only available for viewing twice a year with advanced booking. Both houses have Blue Plaques for their respective occupants.