Biography and Chief Works of          George Frideric Handel

 

  • 1685.

    • Born in Halle, Saxony.  Father an elderly barber surgeon, determined that his son should do well in life, and therefore against so precarious a living as that of a musician.  But allowed him to have music lessons.

     

  • 1702.

    • Entered Halle University, to study law.

     

  • 1703.

    • Left University, and went to Hamburg, where he played violin and then harpsichord at the opera house.  Continued his musical training.

     

  • 1703.

    • Wrote two operas for the Hamburg opera house.

     

  • 1706-10.

    • Traveled to Italy, visiting Florence, Rome, Venice and Naples.  Wrote a number of works and had Italian operas produced in Florence and Venice.  Met Corelli and D. and A. Scarlatti.

    • Appointed Kapellmeister to the Elector of Hanover, who agreed he should be allowed to visit England.  Arrived in London, and at once produced a successful opera.  Returned to Hanover.

     

  • 1712.

    • Another visit to England, again successful.  Queen Anne settled a pension on him.  Stayed on, overstaying his leave.

 

  • 1714.

    • Queen Anne died.  Elector of Hanover became George I of England.  He forgave Handel's truancy almost immediately, confirmed and doubled his pension and attended the performance of his opera 'Rinaldo'.

 

  • 1715-1717.

    • Wrote music for two or more royal water parties on the Thames.  Music collected and published in 1740, as 'Water Music'.

 

  • 1718.

    • Made chapel master to the Duke of Chandos, for whom he wrote the Chandos Anthems.

 

  • 1719.

    • Became a director of a new opera venture “The Royal Academy of Music" which gave performances at the King's Theatre.  Went abroad in search of Italian singers.

 

  • 1720-1728.G.F. Handel

    • Opera house produced Handel's operas (and others) every season, but gradually ran into difficulties, caused by quarrels between singers, the opening of a rival opera house patronized by the Prince of Wales in opposition to the King, and finally the success of an English ballad opera 'The Beggar's Opera'.  Ended in bankruptcy.

 

  • 1729.

    • Started again, under the patronage of the new king, George II, but the new Prince of Wales started in rivalry.  Struggled on till 1737, when he was forced to close the theatre.  But the first oratorio, 'Esther', and the English pastoral 'Acis and Galatea', performed at this theatre, in costume, without action, were quite successful.

 

  • 1738.

    • Obtained £1000 by means of a benefit concert to pay off his creditors.

 

  • 1739.

    • Turned to oratorio, as being more satisfactory financially, and produced 'Saul' and 'Israel in     Egypt'.  Used English singers, who were easier to control than Italians. Oratorios were performed in the theatre, many in Covent Garden.

 

  • 1741.

    • Wrote 'Messiah' in 23 days.

 

  • 1742.

    • 'Messiah' produced in Dublin with other works, all very successful.

 

  • 1743.

    • 'Samson' given eight successful performances in London, but 'Messiah' a failure.  'Dettingen Te Deum' performed in Chapel Royal.

 

  • 1746.

    • Wrote 'Judas Maccabeus'.  

 

  • 1750.

    • 'Messiah' successfully performed for Foundling Hospital. Thereafter gave successful yearly performances of 'Messiah' for this charity.

 

  • 1752.

    • Began to go blind, and, after three operations, lost his sight in 1753.  But still continued active.

 

  • 1759.

    • Presided at organ in performance of 'Messiah' at Covent Garden.  Died eight days later.  Buried in Westminster Abbey.  

 

  • Strong-minded; determined to succeed; made the most of every opportunity that came his way; always busy and in the thick of p struggles; kind hearted, generous and honourable.  

 

  • Never married.  

 

  • Often used material from his early works in later ones, and, in addition, sometimes made unacknowledged borrowings from other composers.  Greatest qualities are his feeling for vocal line, which makes his arias ideal teaching material for singers, and his broad dramatic choral writing.

 

  • Wrote many operas, such as 'Rinaldo', 'Julius Caesar', 'Scipio'.  Have not lived, but many arias from them still sung today.

 

  • Secular choral works, such as 'Acis and Galatea', 'Alexander's Feast', 'Ode for St Cecilia's Day'.

 

  • 19 oratorios.  The first English one was 'Esther'; the greatest are 'Saul', 'Israel in Egypt', 'Messiah', 'Samson' and 'Judas Maccabeus'.

 

  • Good deal of church music, including 'Chandos' anthems, 4 coronation anthems for accession of George II, and 'Dettingen Te Deum'.  

 

  • A large number of cantatas and other vocal music.

 

  • Orchestral music, including 'Water Music', 'Fireworks Music', concerti grossi, organ concertos.

 

  • Instrumental music for various combinations.  

 

  • Harpsichord music, suites, fugues, etc.