 Handel’s Father recognized his music ability but never really did much to help him nourish it.  As a Boy Handel would have to sneak his keyboard upstairs with him so that he could practice.  Handel studied music as a boy with Wilhelm Zachow

Born Nov. 14, 1663 in Leipzig, Germany Died August 2, 1712 in Halle, Germany Wilhelm taught Handel  Violin  Organ  Harpsichord  Oboe  How to compose Handel Practiced with Wilhelm in the Liebfrauen kirche

 Handel Left Hamburg and went to Italy in 1706  Performed his first Italian opera (Rodrigo) in October  Handel left Italy for the winter of 1707 to produce his two oratorios, Florindo and Daphne. Later returning to Rome to direct his oratorio La Resurrezione.

 February 1710 Handel returned to Germany, and is appointed Kapellmeister to the Elector of Hannover.  Kapellmeister is a German word designating a person in charge of music-making.  He completed the cantata Apollo e Dafne which he had begun in Italy.

 In the Autumn of 1710 Handel left Hannover and traveled to England via Holland.  Handel’s 1711 opera Rinaldo was very appealing to the English audiences.

 Handel suffered from a stroke that caused temporary paralysis in his right arm.  He lost some mental faculties, and became blind in his old age.  Despite his difficulties he continued composing until the day he died.  George Friedrich Handel Died April 14, 1759 Memoir Statue, Halle Germany

 Oratorio of Christ’s Life and Death  (hallelujah Chorus)  Oratorio Judas Maccabeus  Orchestral Water music  Royal Fireworks music

 This is one of Handel’s most popular choruses from the oratorio of Christ’s life and Death.  It is commonly performed at Christmas time.  Composed in London during the summer of 1741 and premiered in Dublin, Ireland on 13 April 1742

 The first performance was in Covent Garden, April  It became one of Handel’s most famous oratorio’s, being second only to “Messiah”.  This oratorio consists of 3 acts.

 Handel’s collection of orchestral movements often called 3 suites.  Premiered July 17, 1717, when King George I requested a concert on the river Thames.  50 musicians performed on a barge near the royal barge, where the King and close friends could listen.  The instruments required for a complete performance are a flute, two oboes, one bassoon, two horns, two trumpets, strings, and continuo.