BBC Two and BBC Four are to present a major new season next year on  music of the 18th century. The series will be complimented by live music and events related to the 18th century on BBC Radio 3.

‘Eighteenth Century Music’ on BBC Four, presented by Radio 3’s Suzy Klein, will explore the social, cultural and political landscape of Britain as reflected in the music of the era. The series will examine English music’s growing favour with the upper classes in the 1700s, as demonstrated in the rise of the English Oratorio, and its popularity with the masses from the mid-century. Also discussed will be the connection between war and revolution, and anthems such as God Save The Kingand Rule Britannia.

On BBC Two, Amanda Vickery will present a one-hour documentary recreating the Foundling Hospital premiere of George Frideric Handel’s Messiahin 1750, and making the case for the masterpiece’s lasting influence on a new age of philanthropy.