Discover the soundscape of 18th-century London, where music flourished at every level of society from street balladeers to the grandeur of the opera.
In a city transformed by trade, empire and a growing middle class, music underwent a popular explosion, spilling into homes, churches, taverns, theatres, coffee houses, clubs and charities such as The Foundling Hospital, where Handel’s Messiah was performed annually to audiences of over 1,000 people.
On this music-themed walking tour, you’ll journey from St James’s and Mayfair to Covent Garden, exploring the places where Londoners made, heard and celebrated music. Along the way, you’ll meet the remarkable musicians, singers and composers of the age – from the formerly enslaved composer Ignatius Sancho to the Italian castrato Senesino who was the rock star of his day, and commanded over £2,000 for a single season.
This tour will last approximately 2 hours and will require both walking and standing. Unless severe weather is forecast, the tour will be going ahead so please bring an umbrella/waterproof jacket. The ticket includes the tour, free entry into the Foundling Museum, and a 10% discount on all food and drink at The Lamb, Lamb’s Conduit Street.
Itinerary:
11am: Meet outside The Ritz, Piccadilly
1pm: End at Foundling Museum, 40 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ
About your guide:
Bridget Chandler is a tour guide who has been leading historical tours for a number of years for various museums such as The Charterhouse, the Foundling Museum and the Museum of London and organisations including the Art Fund and the Fine Art Society.
Read reviews from past tours here.