george frideric handel 1685-1759 for high school music history tiffany james
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George Frideric Handel1685-1759
For High School Music History
Tiffany James
Born in Germany on February 23, 1685
Non-musical family
Father did not believe that music was a suitable career for his son
Allowed him to study music because of natural talents
Took lessons with Fredrich Wilhelm Zachow
Studied the organ, harpsichord, violin and oboe
Learned counterpoint and contemporary composition
Enrolled in the University of Halle in 1702, at the age of 17
Cathedral organist at the Calvinist Cathedral
Lost interest and wanted to pursue opera composition
Moved to Hamburg, the center of German opera
Played violin in the Hamburg opera house
Absorbed Italian operatic style from playing in the orchestra
“Almira”, his first opera was premiered at the Hamburg opera house in 1705
Completed his second opera, “Nero” within the same year
Left Hamburg in 1706
Moved to Italy, staying in the main opera cities
Met many important composers, Alessandro and Domenico Scarlatti, Corelli, Caldara and Steffani
Composed Latin motets, an oratorio, Italian cantatas and operas in Italy
His compositional style was almost fully developed by the time he left Italy
Returned to Germany at the age of 25 to become music director at the electoral court of Hanover
Took an almost immediate leave to visit London
Gained success in London with his opera “Rinaldo”
Four more of his operas premiered in London between 1712 and 1716
Royal Academy of Music In 1718 a group of wealthy men
organized a company to present operas to the London public
Handel, Giovanni Bononcini and Filippo Amadei were the appointed composers
The company was very popular between 1720 and 1728
Handel was very active in writing, producing and directing his operas for the Royal Academy of Music
His operas included: “Radamisto”, “Ottone”, “Giulio Cesare”, “Rodelinda” and “Admeto”
The public grew tired of Italian opera and the Academy began to have financial difficulties
Oratorios (opera-like compositions set on a religious subject) were becoming increasingly popular in London
So….Handel began composing oratorios after the failure of the Royal Academy of Music
Handel became a master of oratorios very quickly
He composed an oratorio, “Saul”, which was performed 6 times in 1739
His greatest achievements in this genre include “Israel in Egypt”, “Messiah”, “Judas” “Maccabaeus” and “Jeptha”
In Dublin, the year 1742, Handel and John Rich leased a theater to present oratorios every year during lent
Handel’s oratorios were immensely popular during this time due to the innovations he made on the form
He composed 26 oratorios throughout his career
He lost eyesight due to cataracts
Dictated his last works, conducted oratorios and perfomed on the organ
1759-Collapsed in the theater while conducting the Messiah and died some days later
International compositions, incorporating German, French and Italian styles
Most important composer of Baroque operas and oratorios
Internationally renown during his lifetime