Born February. 23, 1685 in Halle, Germany. Died April 14, 1759 in London, United Kingdom.
The king of opera, Handel’s exceptional
disposition for music was evident from a very early age. A
barber-surgeon and chamberlain for the Duke of Saxe, Handel’s father was
opposed to the solid musical tuition the young musician received in
Halle from Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, (1663-1712). Handel consolidated
his reputation from city to city, from the harpsichord to the organ and
through his encounters with Telemann and Buxtehude before settling in
Hamburg.
After composing two operas, the young composer decided to leave for
Italy to perfect his style and meet Domenico Scarlatti, Corelli and
Pasquini. The composer had his operas performed in Florence, Rome and
Venice. A great traveller, Handel went to Hanover and London where his
opera Rinaldo was a triumph. He took English nationality in 1726 and
composed for the British numerous Italian operas, which were very in
vogue. A victim of plots and conspiracies, Handel skilfully managed to
remain venerated by the British public who made him rich and renowned.
Berlioz noted, “The heavy wigged head of this barrel of pork and bear
named Handel”.
Although Handel composed over forty operas, sometimes conventional
with mediocre librettos, his genius was particularly evident in his
oratorios and keyboard pieces. His sense of the melodic line was
unequalled and thanks to the company of the great singers and castratos
of the time, Handel wrote eminently vocal music with natural curves and
refined, elegant eloquence. His pieces for keyboard displayed this same
art with a sharp sense of counterpoint. A clever man, Handel ingeniously
drew from German, Italian and English styles. He is no doubt the first
great European composer.
