A one man show about Handel presented by Theatre Tarquini | Performed by Paul Humpoletz

Handel

George Frideric Handel, composer of the Messiah - probably the world’s most famous oratorio - as well as Music for the Royal Fireworks, the Water Music, and the immortal Largo – was born in 1685, the same year as J.S. Bach. Handel travelled extensively and led a truly cosmopolitan life-style. A man of great appetites, during the almost 50 years he lived in London he experienced dramatic highs and lows, both artistically and financially, and in his relationships with all those with whom he came into contact. When he died in London in 1759, he was a naturalised British citizen, and was mourned as a great national figure.

1685 Born in Halle, Germany, to middle class surgeon and his much younger wife.

1697 Father dies. Handel studies composition, organ, harpsichord and violin
under F.W.Zacharow, organist at Liebfrauenkirche in Halle.

1703 Handel goes to Hamburg, a centre of German musical life. Meets
Johann Mattheson, plays violin, harpsichord, and occasionally conducts in opera house orchestra.

1706 To Italy without need of patronage, visiting Florence, Rome, Naples, and Venice. Performs and composes for the princes of both church and state, including the Medicis.

1710 Returns to Germany with established reputation, and is engaged by George, Elector of Hannover, as Kapellmeister.

1711 With the Electors permission visits London for many months, where he composes Rinaldo, with great success. Returns to Germany as Kapellmeister

1712 Moves to London with Electors permission to remain for reasonable time. But success with operas amongst other compositions, the patronage of Queen Anne, and the liberal religious climate, persuades him to stay for more than a reasonable time and to make London his home.

1714 Queen Anne dies. George, Elector of Hannover, becomes George 1st of England. Handel composes and conducts ‘Watermusic’ in the hope it will reconcile him with the King. It works.

1719 ‘The Royal Academy of Music’ funded by subscription, for the ‘Encouragement of Operas’ established by Handel and Heidegger, Swiss manager of the King’s theatre

1728 Academy collapses due to lack of interest in Italian opera, the economic climate, and the success of John Gay’s ‘The Beggars’ Opera’.

1729 Handel and Heidegger take lease of King’s Theatre for 5 years, with many successes and failures

1734 Handel moves to the new playhouse at Covent Garden. Here he engages the services of a French ballet company, led by celebrated dancer Maria Salle

1737 Suffers stroke, or possible lead poisoning on 13 April. Visits the spas at Tunbridge Wells and Bath. September sees him at Aix-la-Chapelle. Recovers after 6 weeks.

1738 Handel is one of the original subscribers to the ‘Fund for the Support of
Decayed Musicians’ (now the Royal Society of Musicians) and gives benefit oratorio performance for it every spring.

1739 Severe winter with Thames frozen over and the country at war with Spain. All theatres temporarily closed. From later in the year many of Handel’s odes and oratorios become popular at regional choir festivals.

1741 In September Handel arrives in Dublin at the invitation of the Duke of Devonshire, leaving England as a disillusioned man. Performs in Dublin.

1742 Messiah publicly performed on 13 April at Neale’s Music Hall in Fishamble Street to great acclaim. Later that year Handel returns to London. Messiah not a success in London due to puritan attitude towards religious texts performed in theatres.

1744/45 Takes lease on King’s Theatre, and composes, with a single days interval, two of his largest and greatest works, the musical drama ‘Hercules’ and the oratorio ‘Belshazzar’. Cool reception. In poor health during this time.

1747 Handel much recovered, and writing many oratorios, which are well received.

1749 Composes music for the Royal Fireworks to mark signing of peace treaty at Aix-la-Chapelle.

1750 Handel performs Messiah in Foundling Hospital chapel for charity, after which it becomes more popular. In April he suffers a second stroke, but by June he is back composing.

1751 21 January Handel begins his last oratorio ‘ Jephtha’, but is forced to break off due to weakening of the sight of his left eye. Has cataract operation by same English oculist who operated on Bach.

1758 August and September at Tunbridge Wells.

1759 14 April Handel dies at his house in Brook St. 3000 people attend his funeral in
Westminster Abbey.