The Halle Handel Edition (HHA) has reached a milestone: the publication of the Foundling Hospital Anthem and the Peace Anthem, edited by Stephan Blaut, marks the 100th volume of the renowned complete edition published by Bärenreiter. The international research project is thus setting an example on its way to completing the edition of all of George Frideric Handel’s works: “The internationally networked edition sets new standards for the scholarly edition of Handel’s works; its musical texts are used worldwide for performances of his music,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hirschmann, head of the edition.
Listen to a contribution by Tobias Barth (MDR Kultur) about the work on the Halle Handel Edition:
To mark this editorial milestone, a public celebration was held on February 23, 2026, Handel’s 341st birthday, in the Chamber Music Hall of the Handel House. The keynote speakers acknowledged the importance of the Halle Handel Edition for research and performance practice.
The Halle Handel Edition is a research project of the Academy of Sciences and Literature | Mainz and is funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the state of Saxony-Anhalt as part of the Academies’ Programme coordinated by the Union of the German Academies of Sciences and Humanities. It is supported by the George Frideric Handel Society and cooperates closely with specialists from Great Britain and the United States. Financial and institutional support is also provided by the Handel House Foundation, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, and institutional and private sponsors.