Handel Society of New York
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Performing arts |
| Founded | January 1966 |
| Founder | Arthur Judson, James Grayson |
| Defunct | 1974 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Key people | Brian Priestman (music director), Stephen Simon (music director), Martin Isepp (harpsichordist), James Grayson (executive director) |
| Products | Concerts, recordings of Handel operas and oratorios |
The Handel Society of New York (HSNY) was a musical ensemble based in New York City that specialized in presenting concerts and semi-staged renditions of George Frideric Handel's operas and oratorios from 1966 until 1974. Most of their performances took place at Carnegie Hall, where they introduced several Handel compositions to audiences in the United States and New York for the first time. Additionally, HSNY was the pioneer in recording numerous Handel works, issuing albums under the RCA and Westminster Records labels.
History
Established in January 1966 by talent manager Arthur Judson alongside businessman and music enthusiast James Grayson, who acted as Executive Director throughout the organization's lifespan, the Handel Society appointed conductor Brian Priestman as its inaugural music director, with esteemed harpsichordist Martin Isepp as a key collaborator. Their first presentation was a semi-staged performance of Xerxes at Carnegie Hall on November 20, 1966, featuring prominent vocalists such as Maureen Forrester and Janet Baker. The same ensemble performed Rodelinda the following week; both productions were captured on recordings for Westminster Records.
In 1966, HSNY's initial recording for RCA Red Seal Records was Hercules, conducted by Priestman with the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. Two years later, they recorded Solomon, led by conductor Stephen Simon with the orchestra of the Vienna Volksoper. Simon assumed the role of music director in 1970 and remained until HSNY dissolved in 1974. His debut conducting appearance featured the American premiere of Orlando in concert format at Carnegie Hall on January 18, 1971, starring Rosalind Elias.
During Simon's tenure, HSNY introduced additional U.S. premieres including Ariodante (1971) with mezzo-soprano Sophia Steffan, as well as Rinaldo (1972) headlined by Beverly Wolff. They also staged the New York premiere of Alcina in 1974 under Priestman’s baton, featuring Cristina Deutekom.
In February 1973, HSNY presented its sole non-Handel program: William Walton's Belshazzar's Feast, coupled with an abridged rendition of Handel's Belshazzar. Simon also led performances of Handel oratorios such as Solomon, Athalia, Judas Maccabaeus, and Saul, along with the opera Ezio. The final concert presented by HSNY was a rendition of Handel's Samson on April 23, 1974, featuring tenor Richard Tucker.
Partial discography
| Year | Work | Cast | Conductor, Chorus and/or Orchestra | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Solomon, oratorio in 3 acts | Saramae Endich Patricia Brooks Alexander Young John Shirley-Quirk |
Stephen Simon (conductor) Vienna Youth Choir Vienna Volksoper Orchestra |
RCA Red Seal Records, 1968 3 discs : 33⅓ rpm, stereo; 12 in LP LSC 6187 |
| 1970 | Orlando, opera in 3 acts | Sophia Steffan (Orlando) Graziella Sciutti (Angelica) Bernadette Greevy (Medoro) Carole Bogard (Dorinda) Marius Rintzler (Zoroastro) |
Stephen Simon (conductor) Vienna Youth Choir Vienna Volksoper Orchestra |
RCA Red Seal Records, 1971 3 discs : 33⅓ rpm, stereo; 12 in LP LSC 6197 |
| 1970 | Ariodante, opera in 3 acts | Sophia Steffan (Ariodante) Graziella Sciutti (Ginerva) Bernadette Greevy (Polinesso) Carole Bogard (Dalinda) Ian Partridge (Lurcanio) Marius Rintzler (King of Scotland) |
Stephen Simon Vienna Academy Choir Vienna State Opera Chorus |
RCA Red Seal Records, 1971 3 discs : 33⅓ rpm, stereo; 12 in LP LSC 6200 |
| 1972 | Rinaldo, opera excerpts | Beverly Wolff (Rinaldo) Arleen Auger (Almirena) Rita Shane (Armida) Raymond Michalski (Argante) |
Stephen Simon Vienna Volksoper Orchestra |
RCA Red Seal Records, 1973 1 disc : 33⅓ rpm, stereo; 12 in ARL1-0084 |
| 1974 | Alcina, opera in 3 acts | Cristina Deutekom (Alcina) Beverly Wolff (Ruggiero) Karan Armstrong (Morgana) Lucia Valentini-Terrani (Bradamante) John Stewart (Oronte) Paul Plishka (Melisso) |
Brian Priestman Handel Society of New York Orchestra & Chorus |
Gala GL 100.584 |