The Handel and Haydn Society: Bringing Music to Life for 200 Years

Founded in 1815, the Handel and Haydn Society is the oldest continuously performing arts organization in America. The book brings to life the rich history of this venerable organization. Building on the music of Handel (the classical forefather) and Haydn (the innovator), H&H has grown and changed over the years to become today’s foremost exponent of Baroque and Classical music and the leading period instrument orchestra and chorus in America. H&H has been a leader in music education and in its dissemination, publishing historic music collections in the early nineteenth century. The twentieth century brought important H&H recordings and television broadcasts. With the arrival of Thomas Dunn as music director and his commitment to early music practices, a new era focused on historically informed performance began. That practice flourished under Christopher Hogwood and continues today under Harry Christophers.