Nationality:
German
Born:
Halle,
February 23rd
1685
Died:
London,
April 14th
1759
Type
of music: Italian opera,
English oratorios
Main
works: Water
music (1717), over 40 operas, 12 concerti grossi (1739), Messiah
(1742)
Handel
was an exact contemporary and compatriot of J.S. Bach, although
unlike Bach, he would lead a nomadic career which took him to Italy
and then his resting place, England. In 1703 at the age of 18, Handel
moved to Hamburg to pursue is interest in opera, but soon departed
for Italy, the birthplace of the genre.
By
1707, Handel had composed his first complete opera, 'Rodrigo', which
was staged at a theatre in Florence. Following it's success he moved
to Rome where he worked at the court for Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni.
Here he met both Corelli and Scarlatti and also composed his firs
oratorio, a setting of the resurrection story which had it's debut in
1708. Handel briefly moved back to Germany, being appointed
Kapellmeister to the elector in Hanover. However he took leave
immediately and left for London.
Handel
would begin composing operas for the middle classes of England,
before having to return to Hanover once more, where he spent time
composing conerti grossi and overtures. In 1712 Handel returned to
London, where he spent the rest of his life as a royal composer.
In
1719 the Royal Academy of Music was established, and Handel became
the resident composer. For the next 8 years he composed 14 operas for
the Academy, including 'Admeto' and 'Giulio Cesare'. Their fame
attracted some of Europe's finest operatic performers.
After
George I died in 1727, Handel composed 4 coronation anthems for his
successor, George II. This includes the famous 'Zadok the Priest',
which has been performed at every coronation in England ever since.
Shortly
after this time, the Academy had financial issues, and Handel changed
musical direction. He began composing instrumental music and English
oratorios, including the famous 'Messiah' which had it's debut in
Dublin 1742. This was followed by 15 more successful oratorios including
'Judas Maccabaeus' in 1746 and 'Solomon' in 1748. In 1749 Handel
composed his last royal commission, the music for the royal
fireworks.
Handel's
influence over music and culture in England meant upon his death in
1759, he would be granted a full state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
"The
most excellent musician any age ever produced” - Handel's Epitaph
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