300 Years Of Handel's 'Water Music', With A Splash Of Politics
300 years ago, England's embattled King George I decided to divert public attention from the country's woes with a big musical party on the River Thames.
So what do you do if you're a recently crowned Head of State and you're already facing opposition—even from within your own family? One answer is optics. Make a big, public splash; throw a lavish party with A-list musical entertainment. That's just what happened in London – 300 years ago today.
In July, 1717, King George I of England?" What about a boating party along the Thames? With an orchestra!
