3 - The first London performances

Summary

On 13 August 1742 Handel left Dublin, and he was back in London by early September:

[EH to CJ]

London 7ber [September] 10 1742

I suppose you have heard of M^r Handel's return to London, wh^ch wou'd have been a great joy to you, if you did not at y^e same time hear that He is to return again to Ireland for y^e winter.

By then, a letter from Handel himself was on its way to Jennens, outlining his future plans and enclosing the Bishop of Elphin's comments on Messiah that were quoted in chapter 2:

[GFH to CJ]

London Sept.^r 9.^th 1742

It was indeed Your humble Servant which intended You a visit in my way from Ireland to London, for I certainly could have given You a better account by word of mouth, as by writing, how well Your Messiah was received in that Country, yet as a Noble Lord, and no less than the Bishop of Elphin (a Nobleman very learned in Musick) has given his Observation in writing of this Oratorio, I send you here annexed the Contents of it in his own words. – I shall send the printed Book of the Messiah to M^r Isted for You. As for my Success in General in that generous and polite Nation, I reserve the account of it till I have the Honour to see you in London. The report that the Direction of the Opera next winter is comitted to my Care, is groundless. […]