George Fridiric Handel

  • George Frideric Handel

    George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, February 23, 1685
  • Handel started studying law under Christian Thomasius at the University of Halle;

    In 1702, following his father's wishes, Handel started studying law under Christian Thomasius at the University of Halle;[9] and also earned an appointment for one year as the organist in the former cathedral, by then an evangelical reformed church.
  • Handel started composing Italian operas

    Handel went to Hamburg in 1703 and began composing Italian operas
  • In 1703 he accepted a position as violinist and harpsichordist in the orchestra of the Hamburg Oper am Gänsemarkt

    In 1703 he accepted a position as violinist and harpsichordist in the orchestra of the Hamburg Oper am Gänsemarkt
  • Rodrigo, his first all-Italian opera, was produced in the Cocomero theatre in Florence in 1707

    Rodrigo, his first all-Italian opera, was produced in the Cocomero theatre in Florence in 1707
  • The oratorios, La Resurrezione , were produced in a private setting for Ruspoli in 1709

    The oratorios, La Resurrezione , were produced in a private setting for Ruspoli in 1709
  • The oratorios, Il Trionfo del Tempo, , were produced in a private setting for Ottoboni in 1710

    The oratorios, Il Trionfo del Tempo, , were produced in a private setting for Ottoboni in 1710
  • In 1712, Handel decided to settle permanently in England

    In 1712, Handel decided to settle permanently in England.
  • Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate, first performed in 1713

    He received a yearly income of £200 from Queen Anne after composing for her the Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate, first performed in 1713
  • In 1717 Handel became house composer at Cannons in Middlesex

    In 1717 Handel became house composer at Cannons in Middlesex, where he laid the cornerstone for his future choral compositions in the twelve Chandos Anthems
  • In May 1719, The 1st Duke of Newcastle, the Lord Chamberlain, ordered Handel to look for new singers

    In May 1719, The 1st Duke of Newcastle, the Lord Chamberlain, ordered Handel to look for new singers
  • In 1727 Handel was commissioned to write four anthems for the Coronation ceremony of King George II.

    In 1727 Handel was commissioned to write four anthems for the Coronation ceremony of King George II.
  • In 1729 Handel became joint manager of the Theatre with John James Heidegger

    In 1729 Handel became joint manager of the Theatre with John James Heidegger
  • In 1736 Handel produced Alexander's Feast.

    In 1736 Handel produced Alexander's Feast. John Beard appeared for the first time as one of Handel's principal singers and became Handel's permanent tenor soloist for the rest of Handel's life
  • In April 1737, at age 52, Handel apparently suffered a stroke which disabled the use of four fingers on his right hand, preventing him from performing

    In April 1737, at age 52, Handel apparently suffered a stroke which disabled the use of four fingers on his right hand, preventing him from performing
  • Deidamia, his last opera, was performed three times in 1741

    Deidamia, his last opera, was performed three times in 1741
  • In 1749 Handel composed Music for the Royal Fireworks; 12,000 people attended the first performance

    In 1749 Handel composed Music for the Royal Fireworks; 12,000 people attended the first performance
  • In August 1750, on a journey back from Germany to London, Handel was seriously injured in a carriage accident

    In August 1750, on a journey back from Germany to London, Handel was seriously injured in a carriage accident between The Hague and Haarlem in the Netherlands
  • Handel died on 14th April 1759 a week after performing in Messiah

    Handel kept performing though, and died a week after suffering a collapse following a performance of Messiah in 1759