In Handel’s day written music offered singers and players of instruments a great deal of freedom to ornament the melodic line as they wished. We asked the soprano Julianne Baird about adding her own notes to a masterpiece.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!