The Bristol Ensemble took part in a very special performance of Handel’s Water Music at the Bristol Harbour Festival on Sunday 23 July, echoing the premiere of the work which took place on the Thames on 17 July 1717. We are very grateful to Arts Council England for supporting the project, and to the SS Great Britain and Bristol Harbour Festival for their collaboration in making it possible.
Children from our award-winning Preludes project got things underway with a performance of the compositions they have written as part of our Water Music project:
The music is about to start with @BristolEnsemble on the @bbcrb & @ssGreatBritain stage at today's @BristolHarbFest pic.twitter.com/js4XbKJkfC
— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) July 23, 2017
Later in the afternoon, the flotilla assembled for the finale performance of the Water Music for its 300th anniversary:
So excited #harbourfest #Bristol everyone in position Water Music flotilla from @ssGreatBritain @BristolEnsemble pic.twitter.com/6hARFpa4Kk
— Paul Chibeba (@chibeba) July 23, 2017
Bristol #Harbourfest finale! @BristolEnsemble #ssgreatbritain #visitbristol pic.twitter.com/0XlC0F1vev
— SS Great Britain (@ssGreatBritain) July 23, 2017
Bristol Ensemble in a little boat, about to play the Water Music, on the water, for the Bristol Harbour Festival! pic.twitter.com/xEr5y9AzVZ
— Frances Higgs (@FHiggs) July 23, 2017
Yay nice one @BristolEnsemble @ssGreatBritain this is how we do a flotilla in Bristol #harbourfest pic.twitter.com/Nzk5h5jpSh
— Paul Chibeba (@chibeba) July 23, 2017
Beautiful sounds coming from the harbour #Harbourfest @BristolEnsemble @BristolHarbFest #Harbourfest pic.twitter.com/AGVZoMSNGb
— Jonathan Winter (@speedsailor) July 23, 2017
A view from the boat with the superb @BristolEnsemble ending the @BristolHarbFest 2017! pic.twitter.com/Qfz8Q5HQFt
— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) July 23, 2017
Handel's Water Music… on water. Thanks for a great @BristolHarbFest ! @bbcrb pic.twitter.com/zfKfnN9KQd
— Hamish (@hdahay) July 23, 2017
Playing Handel with @BristolEnsemble on a boat! #harboursidefestival #pleasedontrain #britishsummerfun
— Juliet McCarthy (@julietcello) July 23, 2017
Handel's Water Music with the Bristol Ensemble Live! https://t.co/ClFzGpgoMz
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 23, 2017
Something rather special just happened on #Bristol harbour. Thank you @BristolEnsemble pic.twitter.com/6mkD7jQ7Xs
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 23, 2017
Handel's water music as it should be heard… a floating orchestra to end #BristolHarbourFestival pic.twitter.com/PTsaPg5AkF
— Heather Child (@Heatherika1) July 23, 2017
Handel's 'Water Music' performed by @BristolEnsemble in Bristol Harbour for @BristolHarbFest 😃😃😃😃😃❤ pic.twitter.com/j775WjPuSR
— Mark 🌈 (@thehistoryb0y) July 23, 2017
What an amazing end to @BristolHarbFest 2017! @BristolEnsemble orchestra live in the harbour! Sound on! #HarbourFestival @ssGreatBritain pic.twitter.com/a5SqZeHobE
— Lifestyle District (@LStyleDistrict) July 23, 2017
Great end to this years @BristolHarbFest with a beautiful rendition of Handel's water music on the water! pic.twitter.com/fQni1LOC49
— Laura Pye (@laura_culture) July 23, 2017
Handel's Water Music with the Bristol Ensemble Live! https://t.co/ClFzGpgoMz
— Bristol Harbour Fest (@BristolHarbFest) July 23, 2017
Lovely end to a slightly damp but successful #HarbourFest pic.twitter.com/p8pqbXQbC8
— Bristol Harbour (@HarbMasterBris) July 23, 2017
The heavens opened but couldn't dampen the majesty of Handel's Water Music, finale to #Harbourfest @BristolEnsemble pic.twitter.com/cgQI6Y1hyE
— Suzanne Rolt (@SuzanneRolt) July 24, 2017
Extraordinary finale to Bristol harbour Festival @BristolHarbFest pic.twitter.com/yXrmjimL8i
— Sue Turner (@SueTurnerQCF) July 23, 2017
Handel"s water music at Bristol Harbour is beautiful pic.twitter.com/7evBTDptWz
— Natural Theatre (@NaturalTheatre) July 23, 2017
Mildly eccentric – totally Bristol – water music in the Rain. Perfect pic.twitter.com/DtLjaCL0Rm
— Sue Turner (@SueTurnerQCF) July 23, 2017
Few more shots @BristolHarbFest Handel's Water Music @ssGreatBritain @BristolEnsemble which sounded fantastic. Amazing despite the weather! pic.twitter.com/yyhVBYbwur
— Paul Chibeba (@chibeba) July 23, 2017
Beautiful #watermusic from @BristolEnsemble, @bristolpacket and @ssGreatBritain; six bags of plastic collected, & £150 for @CitytoSeaBrist pic.twitter.com/jmCyCxM1WP
— SUP Bristol (@supbristol) July 23, 2017
Fantastic finale to @BristolHarbFest yesterday, amazing visuals & sound with @BristolEnsemble's rendition of Handel's Water Music pic.twitter.com/3IDqClOWkY
— SS Great Britain (@ssGreatBritain) July 24, 2017