Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times that Made Handel’s Messiah

Every Valley is a glittering narrative history of intertwined lives that tells the story behind one of the greatest pieces of music ever written, Handel's Messiah. ‘A delicious history of music, power, love, genius, royalty and adventure. Unforgettable.’ SIMON SEBAG MONTEFIORE London - Dublin, 1741-42. An actress mired in scandal plans her escape from an abusive husband. A penniless sea captain sets out to rescue the city’s abandoned infants. An African Muslim and former captive in the colonies becomes a celebrity. A grieving political dissident seeks release from his torment. And a great composer to kings – George Frideric Handel – now ill and straining to keep an audience’s attention, faces a decision that will secure his place in history. This is the extraordinary story of Handel's Messiah. ‘A mesmerizing journey through one of the most fascinating and creative moments in human history’ AMANDA FOREMAN ‘Riveting’ The Times Book of the Week 'Fascinating . . . cinematic . . . truly informative, imaginative and engaging' Financial Times 'An absolute delight' PETER FRANKOPAN