God Rot Tunbridge Wells!
God Rot Tunbridge Wells! is a 1985 British musical television film directed by Tony Palmer, written by John Osborne and starring Trevor Howard, Christopher Bramwell and Dave Griffiths. It was aired on Channel 4 in 1985 and was made to mark the 300th anniversary of Handel's birth.
Plot
In his old age in London, the German composer George Frideric Handel reflects over his life and musical career.Cast
- Trevor Howard – Elderly Handel
- Christopher Bramwell – Young Handel
- Dave Griffiths – Handel in middle age
- Isabella Connell – Princess of Wales
- Anne Downie – Vittoria Tarquini
- Beth Robens – Handel's Mother
- Simon Donald – Prince Ruspoli
Music
Musical excerpts used are:- Messiah - Elizabeth Harwood, - Emma Kirkby
- Xerxes - James Bowman
- Acis and Galatea Valerie Masterson, Anthony Rolfe-Johnson
- Judas Maccabæus Judith Howarth, Lynn Anderson
- Ode for the birthday of Queen Anne - John Shirley-Quirk
- Concerto for organ opus 7 No.5 - Simon Preston
- Suite for keyboard no. 7, HWV 432 - Andrei Gavrilov
- Excerpts from the Music for the Royal Fireworks, Water Music, and The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba played by the English Chamber Orchestra, Charles Mackerras