About us
Founded in 1976 by Denys Darlow, the London Handel Festival’s purpose is to enrich lives through the greatest performances of Handel’s music.
The London Handel Festival is dedicated to celebrating the life, music, and continued legacy of this great cultural icon. Each year the London Handel Festival presents an array of Handel inspired concerts and events including its critically acclaimed and flagship Spring Festival. From 1999 – 2024, much admired Handelian Laurence Cummings held the post of Musical Director at the Festival and in 2025 critically acclaimed period instrument ensemble Arcangelo take up the position of Principal Ensemble in Residence, with their director Jonathan Cohen joining as Artistic Adviser.
Predominantly based at St George’s Church, Hanover Square, Handel’s own church in the heart of Mayfair, the Spring Festival features 5 weeks of performances by internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles. Beyond its performances at St George’s Church, the Festival has collaborated with other venues and promoters including the Linbury Theatre at The Royal Opera House, Wigmore Hall, St John’s Smith Square, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Stone Nest, Village Underground and Trinity Buoy Wharf.
Within every Festival the newly created Handel Opera Studio presents bold new stagings of Handel’s lesser known dramatic works. Recent productions include Aci by the River (2024) directed by Jack Furness and In the Realms of Sorrow (2023) directed by Adele Thomas.
Our mission: Enriching lives through Handel's music
Our vision: To be the most engaging, innovative and accessible Handel Festival
Our values: Excellence, Inclusivity and Innovation
Supporting emerging talent is one of the Festivals core values. It regularly works with many of the London’s music colleges including the Royal College of Music and Royal Academy of Music. Regarded by many as the jewel in the crown of the Festival, The International Handel Singing Competition, which was founded by its Musical Director Laurence Cummings in 2002, has been the launchpad for some of the world’s most recognised soloists. Alongside the annual Spring Festival, it presents a number of performances throughout the year including its sell-out performance of Handel’s Messiah.
In 2023 it launched its year round Creative Learning programme which focuses on enriching and inspiring lives through music. Features of the programme include a partnership with Coram, regular youth come and sing events, plus a recently-launched Handel songwriting academy.
In 2026 we celebrate our 50th anniversary with the launch of the LHF Futures Fund to secure our place in contemporary society and continue to enrich lives with Handel’s music for this generation and the next.
Set up in 1976, it has recently embarked on an exciting period of renewal - with a visionary, open minded and contemporary approach - taking music to new dynamic venues and collaborating with fresh partners, resulting in contemporary and growing audiences and close to a doubling of income between 2018 and 2024. Projected income for 2025 is £750,000.
The overall strategy and governance of the Society is determined by and delivered through its Board of Trustees (the “Board”) led by its Chair. Within this framework, the Society’s artistic mission is delivered by the Festival Director working with the Artistic Adviser (currently Jonathan Cohen) and other colleagues.
Finances
The London Handel Festival is the trading name of the London Handel Society Limited, a registered charity with the number 269184. Our anticipated income for 2025 is £750,000.
For further financial information, please review our Accounts here.
Equity, diversity and inclusion statement
The London Handel Festival is committed to eliminating discrimination, encouraging and valuing diversity and promoting equal opportunities.
Our aim is that all audience members, musicians, colleagues and volunteers feel respected and those we engage through our work and employ in our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society.