George Frideric Handel

Not much is known about George Frideric Handel’s personal life, which he liked to keep private. He never married, initially leaving his estate to her niece Johanna; but later distributed much of it among other relatives, friends, servants and charitable organizations.

Towards the end of 1740s, Handel began to have eye problems, possibly cataract. Although he had it operated, by 1752, he lost his vision completely. Yet, he continued to work till the end.

Handel died on April 14, 1759 at his rented house at Brook Street at the age of 74. He was buried in the West Minister Abbey and was given a state funeral. More than 3000 mourners are said to have attended the event.

George Frideric Handel was born on 23 February 1685 in Halle-on-Saal, Duchy of Magdeburg, at that time a province of Brandenburg-Prussia, as Georg Friedrich Händel. His father, also Georg Händel, was a barber surgeon, serving in the court of Saxe-Weissenfels and the Margraviate of Brandenburg.

Handel’s mother, Dorothea Taust, was his father’s second wife. Daughter of a Lutheran Pastor, she bore her husband three children. Among them, George Frideric Handel was the eldest and he had two younger sisters named Dorothea Sophia and Johanna Christiana.

Handel also had six half-siblings, Dorothea Elisabet, Gottfried, Christoph, Anna Barbara, Karl, Sophia Rosina, from his father’s first marriage to Anna Belching.

It is believed that Handel began his education at a gymnasium in Halle. The headmaster of the institution, Johann Praetorius, was an ardent musician and might have influenced young Handel a great deal. But he did not study here for long.

His father, who wanted him to take up a career in law, was alarmed at Handel’s knack for music and therefore, withdrew him from the gymnasium. He also made sure no musical instrument entered his house and forbade young Handel from visiting any house that had one.

On 10 February 1702, in deference to his father’s wishes, Handel enrolled at the University of Halle to study law, but music remained his main passion. On13 March, he was appointed organist at the Domkirche, a Calvinist Cathedral, for an honorarium of 5 thalers a year and free lodging.

When his probationary appointment at Domkirche expired on March 1703, Handel decided to move to Hamburg. Here, he found employment as a violinist in the orchestra of the Hamburg Oper am Gänsemarkt; but at the same time, drew attention with his skill with harpsichord.

Around this time, Handel also started writing opera, making his debut in early 1705 with ‘Der in Krohnen erlangte Glücks-Wechsel, oder: Almira, Königin von Castilien’. It was an instant success, running for twenty performances before being replaced by ‘Die durch Blut und Mord erlangete Lieb; oder, Nero’, also written by him.

During his stay at Hamburg, he also wrote ‘Der beglückte Florindo’ and ‘Die verwandelte Daphne’ at the request of Reinhard Keiser, the manager of the Hamburg Opera. But in 1706, before they could be premiered, he left for Italy at the invitation of either Ferdinando de' Medici or Gian Gastone de' Medici.

George Frideric Handel remained in Italy for approximately three opera seasons, visiting major cities like Florence, Venice, Rome, and Naples, meeting notable musicians like Arcangelo Corelli and Alessandro Scarlatti and his son Domenico. Simultaneously, he continued writing music.

Very soon, his mastery over Italian opera made Handel famous internationally. On 10 January 1710, his work was performed in London. In early March, Prince Carl von Neuburg offered him a court position. As he was not yet ready to settle down, he declined the offer.

He next moved to Hanover. There on 16 June 1710, he was appointed Kapellmeister to the elector of Hanover. However, he continued travelling around and on his second visit to Venice in the same year, he met number of musicians, who aroused in him an interest in London’s musical scenario.

Interested in a freelance career, he set out for London sometime towards the end of 1710. There on 24 February 1711, he had his ‘Rinaldo’, an Italian opera especially composed for London, premiered. It was greeted with great enthusiasm. Handel realized that he could have a successful career in England.

George Frideric Handel now began to learn English. However, he could not yet cut off his ties with the Germany, having to return to Hanover by the middle of 1711. In October 1712, he once again returned to London on condition that he should return to Hanover within a reasonable time.

On 10 January 1713, he had his operas ‘Teseo’ produced. Shortly, he also completed, ‘Il pastor fido’, ‘Utrecht Te Deum’ and ‘Birthday Ode for Queen Anne’. These works earned him royal favor and an annual allowance of £200.