Handel Hendrix House

“The live music brought the house to life”

“I felt transported to the 18th Century and back to the 1960's”

“Not just a museum, but a creative space”

Our Fireworks Trail is Here! 🎇

Explore the iconic homes of Handel and Hendrix with our self-led tour, perfect for kids!

In Handel’s time, fireworks were a spectacular and rare treat, often reserved for royal celebrations. He even composed the famous ‘Music for the Royal Fireworks’ for a grand event in Green Park in 1749.

Can you spot a different historical firework in every room? 🎆 Visit our learning studio on the first floor to design your own firework and pin it onto our night sky!

Starting this Saturday, 17th August, the Trail is included with your general admission ticket. See you there! 👀✨

Ever wonder what music Jimi Hendrix listened to? 🎧 Well, look no further!

We've chosen one track from each record that Jimi Hendrix owned while he lived at 23 Brook Street.

For the full experience (pun not intended), we recommend listening to each track's album—you'll be transported back to the late '60s! 🌟🎸

Jimi Hendrix's Record Collection: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4xcudNiCH9LIzbMMXRmT4Z?si=x0OkOG4zTOqNgRB98jbBFQ&pi=e-S3FHxVKJQci6

The Handel House Trust Collection: An Esther (HWV 50) original score, dated 1732 🎼📜✨

Esther is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel, generally recognised as the first oratorio written in English. Handel adapted the libretto from Jean Racine's Old Testament drama, originally composing the work in 1718 and later revising it into a full oratorio in 1732. In this score, you can clearly see Handel's handwriting, with even a few words visibly scratched out, offering a fascinating glimpse into his creative process.

This item is part of Handel House Trust's stored collection and is not on public display for preservation purposes.

The Fireworks music was first performed on a grand stage built in Green Park especially for the occasion, decorated with statues, paintings and – of course – the fireworks themselves 🎇✨

Fireworks themed arts and crafts activities will run throughout the summer, all designed to be attached to our temporary installation in the studio. By the end of the summer our Fireworks stage will be fully decorated just like the original, covered in the artwork of visitors from all over the world!

(Included in your General Admission Ticket until the end of August)

A Style Icon! 🕺🏽🎉

Hendrix's deeply unconventional fashion style fascinated London. He was a supremely confident man, unafraid to wear 'feminine' shirts or silk scarves as they offered the bright colours he preferred.

Clothing was Hendrix's way of breaking away from previous generations of musicians, and he made no distinction between his everyday attire and his stage outfits.

Experience live music EVERY DAY this August! 🎵

Step into Handel’s dining room and enjoy exquisite performances on the harpsichord and other historical instruments. Then, immerse yourself in Jimi's bedroom with guitarists recreating the 1960s vibes.

Don’t miss out on performances by musicians like Nathaniel Mander, Laurent Judson, Kevanie and many more! 🎸✨

(Included with your General Admission Ticket)

GUITAR DAY - Saturday, 3rd August 2024!! 🎸🎶 (12pm - 3pm)

This month, it's all about festivals... Jimi, the band, the lead-up to the show, and the timeline. We'll dive into how Woodstock changed the world, explore Jimi's tones, the setlists, and of course, the guitars.

Plus, enjoy the added bonus of live music filling the House this weekend.

Book your tickets now! (Included with your general admission ticket)

Today is 'Uncommon Instrument Day', a celebration of odd, rare and uncommon musical instruments (and boy, do we have a few!) We have 10 historical instruments in the House, including an 18th-Century harpsichord and a playable Spinet! 🎼

We pride ourselves on offering our spaces to performers who play these unique instruments, providing them with a place to rehearse for their upcoming performances.

If you're interested in hearing a number of these fascinating instruments live, join us for our Handel Concert series starting next season (September - November) - see our website for more info.

This is Hendrix's sofa!

This Victorian-style sofa belonged to Jimi and Kathy Etchingham during their time at 23 Brook Street! Originally upholstered in wine-coloured fabric from an antiques market, it has been re-covered many times over the decades. The sofa was kept in the smaller room next to the main bedroom, often covered with clothes and quickly cleared for late-night guests.

Sit on it and transport yourself back to January 1969 🛋️🎶🕰️

Join us 6th August from 10am - 4pm for an immersive learning and jam sessions, where you'll not only enhance your guitar skills but also tap into the magic of Jimi Hendrix!

Use the code 'GUITAR' for £15 off your tickets! (available this week only)

Let's rock and roll! 🎸✨

Who do you listen to 🤨⁉️

The Handel House Trust Collection: A letter from George Frideric Handel to Charles Jennens, dated 19th July 1744 — exactly 280 years ago today! ✉️✨🎼

In the letter, Handel enthusiastically acknowledges receipt of Jennens' libretto for Act 1 of 'Belshazzar' and urgently requests the remaining acts. He also asks Jennens to point out the passages in 'Messiah' that he thinks need altering. The expressions of respect squeezed into the signature lines, clearly added as an afterthought, suggest he is anxious to retain Jennens' goodwill.

*This item is part of the Handel House Trust's private collection and is not on public display for preservation purposes

An Evening with Mark Padmore 🎶✨
18:30 Saturday 7th September

HANDEL'S DRAMATIC RECITATIVES

Mark Padmore has established an international career in opera, concert, and recital. Renowned for his performances in Bach Passions, he was Artistic Director of the St. Endellion Summer Music Festival, voted 2016 Vocalist of the Year by Musical America, and appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

"Handel was, above all, a theatre composer who had a tremendous sense of the dramatic. In this programme, we explore some of his greatest recitatives—the Handelian equivalent of the Shakespearean soliloquy."

The evening includes a complimentary drink, the chance to talk with Mark after his performance, and exclusive access to the House.

For more details and to book your tickets, please visit our website

Hendrix flipped and restrung right-handed guitars to suit his left-handed playing, making several hardware modifications that contributed to his unique sound 🎸🔊

Some suggest this was due to limited access to left-handed guitars, while others believe it was a deliberate effort to forge his distinctive style. Regardless of the reason, this quirk became one of the many things that set him apart from other guitarists of his time 🤘🎶🔥

On this day, Handel’s Utrecht Te Deum was premiered in St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1713 to celebrate the peace marking the end of the twelve year-long War of the Spanish Succession. It was his first work written in the English language and is an important milestone at the beginning of his London career, helping him to establish himself as a composer of prestigious music for the English Royal Family 🎼🎻🪶

Built between 1675 and 1710, St. Paul’s Cathedral stands as an iconic landmark in London, holding the title of the city’s tallest building until 1963. It is well-known that Handel loved improvising on the organ here, and he is said to have often met with choral singers in one of the nearby taverns.

🎸🎶 Calling all young rock stars! Join us this August for a jam-packed Guitar Summer School!

Dive into Hendrix’s blues, master the pentatonic, and experiment with groundbreaking effects alongside guitarist Nigel Jones. End the day with an epic blues jam open to all family and friends.

Perfect for secondary-age guitar enthusiasts ready to rock! 🌟🎸

For more info or to book your tickets, visit us at: https://handelhendrix.org/events/guitar-summer-school

You might think you've never heard any music by Handel, one of Brook Street's famous residents... but you may be surprised.

Handel's music is very present in pop culture, and you may have listened to and loved some of his pieces without even knowing it.

The 'Hallelujah Chorus' from Handel's Messiah has been featured in numerous television shows, often in moments of great joy or divine intervention (I can only imagine what happens in Baywatch..!)

Here are just a few recent examples we've found, but we’re sure there are many more.

How many more can you think of? 🤔📺

On July 4th, 1968 (55 years ago today!) Jimi Hendrix flew from New York to London and visited the Brook Street flat for the first time

"For a time, the Isle of Wight Festival transformed a sleepy English island into the rock 'n' roll capital of the world." 🌞🎸🌈

It all began with a series of festivals between 1968 and 1970, widely acknowledged as the largest musical events of the era, surpassing even Woodstock in attendance with an estimated crowd of over 600,000 people.

In 1970, the festival's five-day line-up included legendary acts such as The Who, Joni Mitchell, The Doors, Supertramp, Joan Baez, and, of course, Jimi Hendrix. Jimi's iconic set was performed in the early hours of August 31st. Tragically, this was his last planned public performance in the UK before his untimely death three weeks later. The set was released as an album the following year to honour his passing.

There was no Isle of Wight Festival between 1970 and 2002, until John Giddings, an established music promoter, saw an opportunity to revive it. And so began the festival we know and love today.

Photo credit: My Parents! Who were lucky enough to attend this year ( - they had an incredible time) 📸🍻

This summer, our learning studio transforms to celebrate the 275th anniversary of Handel’s iconic Music for the Royal Fireworks! 🌟

Step back in time to 1749 as we recreate the grand stage from Green Park, complete with statues, paintings, and of course, fireworks!

Get crafty with fireworks-themed arts and crafts all week long and help us decorate our 18th-century stage installation. By summer’s end, it’ll be a masterpiece covered in artwork from visitors around the globe!

(Included in your General Admission ticket)

Fun fact: Jimi Hendrix gave his phone number out to everyone. Girlfriend Cathy had a second phone installed at Brook Street because it got so bad he had to leave the first one off the hook most of the time. Then he started giving everyone the second number ... 🎸📞

Handel Concert Series September - November 2024 🎶📜🤘🏼

We showcase the crème de la crème of baroque performers, curating memorable performances in the intimate setting of Handel’s own house.

Tickets are available now on our website! ✨

Experience live music daily this summer! 🎵

Step into Handel’s dining room and hear exquisit performances on the harpsichord and other historical instruments. Then, immerse yourself in Jimi's bedroom with blues guitarists recreating the 1960s vibes.

Don’t miss out on musicians like Bridget Cunningham, Angela Hicks, Laurent Judson, and many more! 🎸✨

(Included in your General Admission Ticket July to August)

The Handel House Trust Collection ✨🎼
Introducing a new series unveiling some of the hidden treasures from our stored collection here at Handel Hendrix House.

Our first highlight is an exquisite watercolour painting of 25 Brook Street by John Buckler, created in 1839. This piece is the earliest known depiction of Brook Street and beautifully imagines a serene moment with Handel resting at the first-floor window.

Beneath the image, Buckler inscribed a brief description: "The House in Lower Brook Street (at present 1839, numbered 57), in which Handel lived and died; - as it appeared before the front of the Attic Story was raised."

Fun fact: This watercolour was a crucial source for the recent restoration of the House during the Hallelujah Project.

*This item resides in the Handel House Trust's stored collection and is not on public display for preservation purposes.