John Beard: Handel’s Tenor

This exhibition explores the extraordinary life of the celebrated tenor, John Beard – Handel’s ‘tenor of choice’. This theatre star and 18th century celebrity premiered several roles for Handel in a variety of opera and oratorio, wowed the public at the pleasure gardens with patriotic ballads and nonsense songs, and expertly managed the Covent Garden Theatre until his retirement. This exhibition presents the curious circumstances of his first marriage, music scores with Beard’s own performance markings, evidence of his kind philanthropy and many other fascinating items from his life. Alongside this, a painting of John Rich, Theatre Manager and Beard’s father-in-law, attributed to William Hogarth will be displayed in Handel’s Music Room in its first public outing, alongside an iconic painting of John Beard by Thomas Hudson.

Suitable for
Any age

Admission
Included with General Admission to the whole house - £10

Website
https://handelhendrix.org/whats-on/exhibitions/john-beard-handels-tenor/

Source: http://www.culture24.org.uk/se000508?id=EVENT563317