The Handel and Haydn Society, founded in Boston in 1815, is America's oldest continuously performing arts organization.
Interpretation
The Handel and Haydn Society uses period instruments and historically informed performance techniques to perform Baroque and Classical music.
Composition History
Mozart's motet Exsultate, jubilate was originally composed for Venanzio Rauzzini, a soprano castrato, in 1773.
Performer Biography
Soprano Teresa Wakim, who makes her debut on this disc, was a member of the Handel and Haydn Society's chorus before becoming a soloist.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded live at Boston's Symphony Hall, a venue considered one of the finest concert halls in the world, known for its 'shoebox style' acoustics.
Cultural Impact
The Handel and Haydn Society gave the first complete American performances of Handel's Messiah (1818) and Haydn's The Creation (1819).
Composition History
Haydn's Symphony No. 85, 'La Reine', includes a slow movement that is a set of variations on the French folk tune 'La gentille et jeune Lisette', indicating it was written for Paris.
