GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

Early Life
George Frideric Handel was born in the North German
province of Saxony on February 23, 1685. He was born
the same year as Baroque composer Johann Sebastian
Bach. George’s father wanted him to be a lawyer, even
though he was captivated by music. In contrast,
George’s mother was supportive of his musical interest
and allowed him to take keyboard and music composition
lesson. His aunt gave him a harpsichord for his seventh
birthday and George played it whenever he had the
chance secretly away from his father. Handel had the
opportunity to play the organ for the duke’s court when
he was still young. There, he met composer and organist,
Frideric Wilhelm Zachow, who was impressed with Handel’s potential. He invited
Handel to become his pupil. Handel mastered composing for the organ, oboe,
and violin under Zachow. From age 11 to around 16 or 17 years old, he composed
church cantatas and chamber music. It failed to gather much attention
though since it was written for a small audience. Even though Handel was
dedicated to music, his father wanted still wanted him to become a lawyer.
He agreed to study law at the University of Halle, but did not remain enrolled
long. He decided to commit himself completely to music at age 18.

Music
In 1703, Handel accepted a violinist’s position at the Hamburg Opera’s Goose
Market Theater. He also taught private music lessons during his free time,
passing on what Zachow had taught him. Handel became the organist at the
Protestant Cathedral in Halle. The next year he moved to Hamburg and
worked as violinist and harpsichordists in the orchestra of the opera house.
His first two operas, Almira and Nero, were produced in 1705. He wrote two
more in 1708. He was becoming a good composer of operas, but wanted to
learn more, so he moved to Italy in 1707. He lived there four years and wrote
two more operas, Rodrigo (1707) and Agrippina (1709). The latter made Handel
famous.

England
Handel became the music director in 1710 to George, Elector of Hanover, who
would soon be King George I of Great Britain. He agreed to allow Handel to
have 12 months leave to spend in London. Handel spent eight months in
London and his opera, Rinaldo, was performed in 1711. It was the first time
an Italian opera was performed in England and was an immediate success.
He returned back to Germany and spent the time writing and learning
English. He visited England again in 1712. There, he had patrons, wealthy
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people who gave him money, and a yearly income paid by Queen Anne. He
decided to stay in England instead of returning the court since he was having
so much success. Queen Anne died in 1712 and the Elector of Hanover became
King of Great Britain. It was said the king forgave him for staying in England.
He doubled Handel’s salary and increased it again when Handel taught Queen
Caroline’s daughter.

Handel House
Handel moved to a newly built home on 25 Brook Street in London on 1724.
He rented there until his death in 1759, 35 years later. The home is now
called the Handel House Museum and is open to the public. Handel composed
some of his famous music there, such as Messiah, Zadok the Priest, and
Fireworks Music.
Operas
Handel’s 1729 opera Scipio was performed. The march from this work is now
the slow march of the British Guards. He was paid to write four anthems
for the coronation ceremony of King George II in 1731. Zadok the Priest,
has been sung at every coronation ceremony since. Handel spent the
majority of his time working on operas. He was director of the Royal
Academy of Music from 1722 to 1726. This organization put on opera
performances, but had nothing to do with the academy called the Royal
Academy of Music today where young students study music. Handel worked
in the management of the King’s Theatres. Many of his operas were
performed in the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden. Handel sometimes
travelled to Italy to find new Italian singers and persuade them to come to
London. London became famous around the world for its operas. Handel
had many enemies, in spite of everything he did for opera. Handel gave up
managing in 1740 after losing a lot of money in the business.

Later Life
Handel had a stroke at age 54, in April 1789. This likely this left his right arm
paralyzed for awhile, so he could not perform. He made an excellent
recovery after six weeks and started writing oratorios instead of operas.
One of these, Messiah, was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. It was
surprisingly not successful in London when it was performed in 1750 in aid of
the Foundling Hospital Chapel. Handel performed it every year there, bringing
the hospital money each time. Handel spent most of his time in his later
years composing and producing oratorios. Judas Maccabaeus was
particularly popular. On a journey back from Germany to London in August
of 1750, Handel was seriously injured when his carriage overturned. He began
losing his eyesight in 1751. In 1759, he died in London at age 74. More than
3,000 mourners attended his funeral. He was buried with full state honors in
Westminster Abbey. Handel was never married and kept his life very private.
He left money to his family, servants, and several charities.
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Name_________________________________________

GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL

Matching: Match each term with its description.
1. _____ George II A. One of Handel’s most famous oratorios

2. _____ harpsichord B. Handel studied this at the University of Halle

3. _____ Bach C. Handel was buried in this abbey in London

4. _____ Germany D. Handel was given this instrument at age seven

5. _____ law E. Handel wrote four anthems for his coronation

6. _____ Zachow F. Handel was born in this country

7. _____ Westminster G. Handel’s first opera

8. _____ Messiah H. Handel was born the same year as him

9. _____ Almira I. First Italian opera performed in England

10. _____ Rinaldo J. Taught Handel when he was younger

Multiple Choice: Choose the best answer.

11. Which of the following statements is accurate about Handel’s early life?
A. His father was supportive of his music career.
B. He graduated law school when he was a teen.
C. His father was not supportive of his music career, but his mother was.
D. He did not began playing or composing music until he was in his mid-
twenties.

12. Why is Zadok the Priest an important piece by Handel?

A. It has been played at every coronation ceremony since George II.
B. It was Handel’s best-selling opera.
C. It made Handel famous in the music industry in Italy.
D. It was the first Italian opera performed in England.

13. Which event occurred first in Handel’s life?

A. He moved to England.
B. He looked for singers in Italy.
C. He had a stroke.
D. He studied under Zachow.

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