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First performed in London a year later, the oratorio was not particularly popular at first, but it became established as a perennial favourite during the 1750s. From 1751 Handel gradually lost his eyesight, and he passed away on April 14 (Easter Saturday) 1759. It seems that Handel had a supremely high regard of his own talent, or at least ...
Pirmasens, which belonged in Handel's time to the territory of the landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and is today in the Rhine-Palatinate. Children ofGeorg Handel's second marriage 1. A son, who died at birth in 1683 or 1684; research concerning his Christian name has been fruitless. 2. Georg Friedrich (bapt. Halle, 24 Feb 1685; d.
- Overview
- Life
George Frideric Handel, a German-born English composer of the late Baroque era, was known particularly for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions. He wrote the most famous of all oratorios, Messiah (1741).
What was George Frideric Handel’s early life like?
George Frideric Handel showed a marked gift for music at an early age, becoming a skilled keyboard player by age 9. Although his father did not like the idea of his son pursuing a career in music, Handel followed his musical inclination, later becoming well known for his compositions.
When was George Frideric Handel born?
George Frideric Handel was born on February 23, 1685, in Halle, Brandenburg (now in Germany).
George Frideric Handel (born February 23, 1685, Halle, Brandenburg [Germany]—died April 14, 1759, London, England) was a German-born English composer of the late Baroque era, noted particularly for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions. He wrote the most famous of all oratorios, Messiah (1741), and is also known for such occasional pieces as Water Music (1717) and Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749).
Handel was the son of a barber-surgeon. He showed a marked gift for music and became a pupil in Halle of the composer Friedrich W. Zachow, learning the principles of keyboard performance and composition from him. His father died when Handel was 11, but his education had been provided for, and in 1702 he enrolled as a law student at the University of Halle. He also became organist of the Reformed (Calvinist) Cathedral in Halle, but he served for only one year before going north to Hamburg, where greater opportunities awaited him. In Hamburg, Handel joined the violin section of the opera orchestra. He also took over some of the duties of harpsichordist, and early in 1705 he presided over the premiere in Hamburg of his first opera, Almira.
Handel spent the years 1706–10 traveling in Italy, where he met many of the greatest Italian musicians of the day, including Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti and his son Domenico. He composed many works in Italy, including two operas, numerous Italian solo cantatas (vocal compositions), Il trionfo del tempo e del disinganno (1707) and another oratorio, the serenata Aci, Galatea e Polifemo (1708), and some Latin (i.e., Roman Catholic) church music. His opera Agrippina enjoyed a sensational success at its premiere in Venice in 1710.
Handel’s years in Italy greatly influenced the development of his musical style. His fame had spread throughout Italy, and his mastery of the Italian opera style now made him an international figure. In 1710 he was appointed Kapellmeister to the elector of Hanover, the future King George I of England, and later that year Handel journeyed to England. In 1711 his opera Rinaldo was performed in London and was greeted so enthusiastically that Handel sensed the possibility of continuing popularity and prosperity in England. In 1712 he went back to London for the production of his operas Il pastor fido and Teseo (1713). In 1713 he won his way into royal favour by his Ode for the Queen’s Birthday and the Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate in celebration of the Peace of Utrecht, and he was granted an annual allowance of £200 by Queen Anne.
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Composers & Their Music
Recognized by prominent members of both the English aristocracy and the intelligentsia, Handel was in no hurry to return to Hanover. Soon he had no need to do so, for on the death of Queen Anne in 1714, the elector George Louis became King George I of England. In 1718 Handel became director of music to the duke of Chandos, for whom he composed the 11 Chandos Anthems and the English masque Acis and Galatea, among other works. Another masque, Haman and Mordecai, was to be the effective starting point for the English oratorio.
- Charles Cudworth
George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (/ ˈhændəl / HAN-dəl; [a] baptised Georg Fried[e]rich Händel, [b] German: [ˈɡeːɔʁk ˈfʁiːdʁɪç ˈhɛndl̩] ⓘ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) [3][c] was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concertos. Handel received ...
Feb 15, 2024 · Early life and education. George Frideric Handel was born on February 23, 1685, in Halle, Saxony (now part of Germany). His father, Georg Händel, was a distinguished barber-surgeon, and his mother, Dorothea Taust, recognized her son’s musical talent early on. Young Handel’s exposure to music began at home, where he explored the harpsichord ...
- February 23, 1685
- April 14, 1759
- George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Duchy of Magdeburg (now part of modern-day Germany), on February 23, 1685.
- George Frideric Handel was a German-born composer of the Baroque era who later became a naturalized British citizen. He is widely regarded as one o...
- George Frideric Handel never married. Throughout his life, there is no evidence to suggest that he entered into matrimony or had a spouse. Handel w...
- George Frideric Handel passed away on April 14, 1759, at the age of 74. He died in London, England. The cause of his death was attributed to advanc...
- George Frideric Handel was primarily a composer and conductor, and there is no historical evidence to suggest that he played any musical instrument...
Feb 13, 2024 · Born in Halle, Germany, in 1685, George Frideric Handel was among the greatest composers of the Baroque era. His walking style and large stature earned him the nickname “the Great Bear.”. Handel’s operas, organ concertos, oratorios, and anthems made him famous. Handel moved to Great Britain as a young man, where he composed one of the ...
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Dec 13, 2021 · George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) George Frideric Handel was a German-born English composer. Active in multiple cities in Europe, he composed in every musical genre of his time, including operas, oratorios, keyboard pieces (such as dance suites), solo and trio sonatas, orchestral music (suites, concertos, and overtures, sinfonias, and dances ...
