Did Haydn attend the Handel Commemoration in Westminster Abbey?

While it is widely accepted that Joseph Haydn attended the Handel Commemoration in Westminster Abbey in 1791, a critical reassessment of historical accounts challenges this narrative. The study examines eyewitness testimonies and biographical sources, revealing inconsistencies in the claim that Haydn was deeply moved by Handel's 'Hallelujah Chorus' during the event. Although evidence suggests Haydn may have been present at one of these grand performances—witnessed by industrialist William Gardiner—it does not support the emotional anecdote central to his supposed experience. The research highlights how Pohl’s influential 19th-century account, later repeated by scholars, lacks direct corroboration and may have conflated Haydn’s reactions with other historical observations.

Rice, J. A. (2012). Did Haydn attend the Handel Commemoration in Westminster Abbey? Early Music, 40(1), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.1093/em/car116