Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • FALL 2016 • PAN PIPES 31 B C D E H I J K M N O P R S T U W X Y Z By Jayne i. hanlin Handel & Hendrix in London. at's not only alliteration. As of February 2016, it became a combined musical museum—and quite a contrasting one. Located at 25 Brook Street, the original Handel House Museum opened in 2001. Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970), American legend of rock and blues, lived at 23 Brook Street during periods of time in 1968 and 1969, almost two-and-a-half centuries aer Handel resided in the adjoining building. In the museum's attic, in addition to biographical information about Hendrix, are his guitars, many of his record album covers, a video loop, and headsets to listen to his music. Jimi described his flat, oen a late-night jamming spot, as "my first real home of my own." Based on photographs and recollections from Kathy Etchingham, his then girlfriend, the museum has created a replica of Hendrix's tidy bedroom. Its main focus is a red bed with a shawl canopy. No longer accessible, however, is his kitchen and pink bathroom because of limited information about these areas. Hendrix died in London but not in this flat. George Frideric Handel's first home of his own was the five-story Georgian townhouse next door where he lived almost four decades before he died. e current furnishings are merely typical of the period, as none of his original furniture there has ever been found. During restoration the original wall color, blue gray, was revealed under 28 layers of paint. e first-floor dining room doubled as a music room, as was the tradition of the time. In addition to writing music for operas, Handel was also somewhat of an impresario, engaging singers and dealing with their personalities. In this room, Handel held rehearsals, frequently inviting audiences. Even today there are chairs for 28 to attend performances. On the walls are portraits of some of Handel's singers, including Faustina, a mezzo-soprano prima donna from Italy. rough the doorway is the composition room. Here this prolific composer completed manuscripts very quickly—as was his way— sometimes hastening the process by borrowing or recycling melodies. at he wrote Messiah in only three-and-a-half weeks in 1741 is confirmed by his meticulous dating on the score. Hanging on the wall is a portrait of Handel on loan from the Royal Collection Trust of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. What makes this oil painting unique is its golden bullrush frame, a likely Biblical reference to Moses in the bulrushes. On the second floor was Handel's bedroom and bathroom—a water jug, basin and a ceramic chamber pot. His red bed is short because he— like most people in his day—slept sitting up on a full tester bed. Nearby the composer's bedroom is his dressing room with a cupboard to store his wigs—including his large white one—all that supposedly prevented head lice. In adjoining rooms between the museums there is a costume area for young people to dress up in clothing from both Handel's and Hendrix's time periods and a display area with exhibits that changes biannually. e one I saw was A Year in the Life of Handel: 1723, the year he moved into the house. e restoration of it is still not complete. e next phase of the project is the renovation of both the kitchen in the basement and the ground-floor receiving room (currently a luxury leather goods shop) where he sold scores and subscriptions. Already in place upstairs is a small gi shop for visitors to purchase both Handel and Hendrix souvenirs. I purchased a postcard of the portrait in the bulrush frame. A short walk from the museum is Handel's parish church, St George's, Hanover Square, in which he owned his own box pew, although that no longer remains. Only three of the organ pipe sets in the church are original. Handel, probably the most famous parishioner, continued to worship there even aer he was blind and arthritic. You'll need to take the tube to Russell Square Underground Station to get to the Gerald Coke (pronounced "Cook") Handel Collection at the Foundling Museum. Ever since 1749, there has been an annual benefit performance of Messiah for the children's charity, formerly the Foundling Hospital. On the top floor of the museum is the Handel Gallery. is large room has four comfortable leather chairs. Each houses a speaker that plays selections from a different category of his compositions: operas, instrumental music, odes and oratorios, and sacred music. I spent several hours listening to tracks from each genre. Notebooks with interesting explanatory sheets to read are tucked into side panels of the chairs. Also in the room are some fascinating displays about the composer, including his Last Will and Testament. First performed on July 17, 1717, Handel's Water Music Suites are still popular aer three centuries. Will Jimi Hendrix's Foxy Lady have such wide appeal in the 23rd century? One never knows! A World of Music A World of Music A WORLD OF MUSIC Handel & Hendrix: Neighbors Centuries Apart At left, the main room of the Handel & Hendrix in London. At right Handel's Rehearsal and Performance Room. Michael Bowles-Handel & Hendrix Handel House Trust FOR MORE INFORMATION visit: handelhendrix.org

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