George Frideric Handel (Cosmopolitan)

(1685-1759)

George Fredric Handel

born in Halle, Germany
Father was a wealthy barber/surgeon that
believed that Handel should never enter the
music field.
Born Georg Friedrich Hndel, Handel
anglicized the spelling of his name after
becoming a British citizen in 1727.
Handel never married.

Early Years
Learned opera style through actively
absorbing it as a violin player in Hamburg.
Born in Germany, studied music in Italy,
and spent most of his career in London.
First cosmopolitan composer.
First opera was Almira (age 20).
Was a great success for his age.
Age 25 appointed as the conductor for the
Elector of Hanover.

Hanover
He traveled to London to stage his opera,
which was very well received
The next time he went to London, he just
stayed
He was dismissed by the Elector of
Hanover
The elector of Hanover, was crowned King
George I of England in 1714.

Handels Water Music 1717

An offering to King
George I after
irritating His Serene
Highness.
Music for an outing
on the Thames river.
His former salary (in
Hanover) was
doubled

Water Music (1717)

Dance Suite
First performance lacking Basso Continuo
Instruments: Harpsichord or Clavichord
would not fit in the boat. Too Top Heavy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=cnn3TVBDtcA

G.F. Handel
1720 Founded the Royal Academy of Music
Purpose: presentation of Italian Opera
wrote about 40 operas

Oratorio
Oratorio - a large-scale musical work for
orchestra and voices, typically a narrative
on a religious theme, performed without the
use of costumes, scenery, or action. Wellknown examples include Bach's Christmas
Oratorio, Handel's Messiah, and Haydn's
The Creation.

Opera
A dramatic work in one or more acts, set to
music for singers and instrumentalists.

Oratorio vs. Opera

Opera Example
LOrfeo Prologue and Dal Mio Parnasso by
Monteverdi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=drUO7YuBOMw

Oratorio
Handels Messiah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ZuGSOkYWfDQ
(1:54:38) Hallelujah Choir
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=5S0dn7tqkBg

Messiah (1742)
Premiered in Dublin, Ireland.
Composed in 24 days.
Biblical verses divided in three parts:

Structure of Messiah
Christmas: prophecy and coming of Christ.
Easter: The passion of Christ
Redemption: detailing how to live through
faith.

Concert etiquette for Messiah

Why stand at the Hallelujah Chorus.
Tradition or Religious significance?
King George

the Top (possible) reasons

the king was awakened by the loud chords
of the beginning of the chorus
he was tired of sitting
he was hard of hearing and thought they
were playing God Save the King
he had gout and stood for relief
he arrived late and all stood when he
entered

he had to go to the bathroom

he mistook the words And he shall reign
forever and ever to be a personal tribute
he thought the chorus was so splendid that
he assumed it marked the end of the show
he was actually moved and inspired to stand

1749 Produced Music for the Royal

Fireworks to celebrate the end of the War of
Austrian Succession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=q3X3cRPDSSA

Other popular works

Otton
Xerxe (Serse)
Oratorios

Handels last years

he lost his eyesight during the last years of
his life
so did Bach
they had the same physician who treated
them both for cataracts