Handel and Haydn Society

Boston's Handel & Haydn Society (colloquially H&H) has been fundamental to the development of classical music in the U.S. since its founding in 1815. It has been continuously operating longer than any other performing arts organization in the country. As the name implies, the group is devoted to performances of 18th century music, but it also performs large chorus-and-orchestra works that appeared in the 19th century. The Handel & Haydn Society gave the American premieres of Handel's Messiah in 1818, Haydn's Creation the following year, Verdi's Requiem in 1878, and Bach's St. Matthew Passion in 1879. Under Harry Christophers, the Handel & Haydn Society began a recording career commensurate with its prestige. In 2021, the Handel & Haydn Society was heard on an album of Mozart's Violin Concertos, led from the violin by the group's concertmaster and soloist, Aisslinn Nosky.