Handel and Haydn Society to Celebrate 200th Anniversary in March

For two centuries, the Handel and Haydn Society (H+H) has made an enduring cultural impact on the City of Boston. At long last, H+H will observe in March the 200th anniversary of H+H's founding. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh has officially declared Tuesday, March 24 Handel and Haydn Society Day. A citywide celebration on that day includes the opening of a Bicentennial exhibition, which will be on view through September 5 at the Boston Public Library, Central Library at Copley Square.

This exhibition- The Handel and Haydn Society: Bringing Music to Life for 200 Years-is an engaging survey of H+H's history, seen through the lens of classical music in America. Free to the public and enhanced by interactive media (including an H+H Smartphone app), the display includes priceless H+H archives (program books, newspaper clippings, and more) dating back to the early 1800s with a few surprises in store. The exhibition is presented in partnership with the Freedom Trail Foundation and the MIT Museum, and is made possible with funding from the Adams Arts Program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Plymouth Rock Foundation.

March's Bicentennial festivities commence at Symphony Hall on March 6 and 8 with Mendelssohn's epic Elijah. Premiered in Boston by the Handel and Haydn Society in 1848, Elijah quickly became one of the most popular oratorios performed by H+H. Elijah was the first work H+H performed in Symphony Hall and was a favorite of H+H Artistic Director (1986-2001) and Conductor Laureate (2001- 2014) Christopher Hogwood who led triumphant performances of it in 2000 for Symphony Hall's centennial. The upcoming performances are dedicated to the memory of Hogwood who passed away in September. Former H+H Music Director Grant Llewellyn leads the Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus and distinguished soloists: bass-baritone Andrew Foster-Williams (performing the title role of the Old Testament prophet), soprano Sarah Coburn, mezzo-soprano Christianne Stotijn, and tenor Andrew Kennedy.

Later in March, H+H reprises its sold-out 2012 performances of Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion. Premiered in the US by H+H in 1879, Bach's one-of-a-kind masterwork demands the most from its soloists, double choir, double orchestra, and children's choir. H+H Artistic Director Harry Christophers will lead the Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus, the VAP Young Women's and Young Men's Choruses in performances on Friday, March 27 and Sunday, March 29 at Symphony Hall. Soloists include tenor Joshua Ellicott (Evangelist), baritone Roderick Williams (Jesus), soprano Joélle Harvey, mezzo-soprano Anna Stéphany, tenor Matthew Long, and baritone Sumner Thompson. H+H is proud to partner with WCRB which will present the live broadcast on March 29, Palm Sunday.

That weekend of performances coincides with the Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA) Institute, hosted by the Handel and Haydn Society. From March 26 through 30, a core group of 10 music journalists from across North America will convene in Boston to experience H+H and to participate in enriching discussions that will have broad implications for classical music. On Friday, March 27 from 1- 3pm the Institute will host the symposium "The Handel and Haydn Society: Past, Present, and Future" at the Boston Public Library, Central Library at Copley Square. Moderated by The Boston Globe's Classical Music Critic Jeremy Eichler, the symposium (free and open to the public) includes music writer Jan Swafford, H+H Executive Director and CEO Marie-Hélène Bernard, and music critic Donald Rosenberg as panelists. Funding for the MCANA Institute comes from ArtsBoston with additional event sponsorship from the Handel and Haydn Society and Boston Symphony Orchestra.

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