George Frideric Handel Timeline

(February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759)

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-born British Baroque composer renowned for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental works, most famously Messiah. He spent much of his career in London, becoming a naturalized British citizen and shaping English musical life. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Early Life and Education

Born in Halle, Brandenburg-Prussia

Feb 23, 1685

George Frideric Handel was born in Halle to Georg Händel, a barber-surgeon, and his second wife Dorothea Taust. His father initially opposed a musical career for his son, hoping he would study law instead.

Image source: George Frideric Handel

Studies with Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow

1692 - 1702

Handel received his principal musical training from Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, organist at the Liebfrauenkirche in Halle, learning composition, organ, harpsichord, oboe, and violin.

Image source: Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow

Appointed organist at Halle Cathedral

1702 - 1703

At age 17, Handel was appointed organist at the Calvinist cathedral in Halle, his first professional position, while also briefly studying law at the University of Halle.

Moves to Hamburg and joins the opera orchestra

1703

Handel moved to Hamburg, then Germany's leading opera center, where he played violin and harpsichord in the orchestra of the Gänsemarkt opera house and befriended composer Johann Mattheson.

Travels to Italy and meets leading composers

1706 - 1710

Handel traveled to Italy, spending time in Florence, Rome, Naples, and Venice, meeting Corelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, and Domenico Scarlatti, and absorbing Italian operatic and sacred styles.

Appointed Kapellmeister to the Elector of Hanover

Jun 1710

Handel accepted the post of Kapellmeister to Georg, Elector of Hanover, who would later become King George I of Great Britain, though Handel quickly sought leave to visit London.

Settles permanently in England

1712

After a second leave of absence from Hanover, Handel settled in England, receiving an annual income from Queen Anne and eventually becoming a naturalized British subject in 1727.

Residence at Cannons with the Duke of Chandos

1717 - 1718

Handel served as resident composer at Cannons, the estate of James Brydges, Duke of Chandos, composing the eleven Chandos Anthems and other works including Acis and Galatea.

Image source: Chandos Anthems

Operatic Career

Premiere of first opera, Almira

Jan 8, 1705

Handel's first opera, Almira, premiered successfully at the Gänsemarkt opera in Hamburg. His second opera there, Nero, was a failure and is now lost.

Image source: Almira

Success of opera Rodrigo in Florence

1707

Handel's Rodrigo premiered in Florence, earning him recognition in Italian operatic circles and an invitation from Prince Ferdinando de' Medici.

Image source: Rodrigo (opera)

Triumph of Agrippina in Venice

Dec 26, 1709

Handel's opera Agrippina premiered at the Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo in Venice to sensational acclaim, running for 27 consecutive nights and establishing his international reputation.

Image source: Agrippina (opera)

First visit to London and Rinaldo premiere

Feb 24, 1711

Handel's Rinaldo became the first Italian opera written specifically for London, premiering at the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket to great success.

Image source: Rinaldo (opera)

Becomes director of the Royal Academy of Music

1719

Handel was appointed Master of the Orchestra at the newly founded Royal Academy of Music, a company formed to present Italian opera in London, recruiting star singers such as Senesino from continental Europe.

Image source: Royal Academy of Music (company)

Premiere of Giulio Cesare

Feb 20, 1724

Giulio Cesare in Egitto, one of Handel's greatest operas, premiered at the King's Theatre with the celebrated castrato Senesino and soprano Francesca Cuzzoni, becoming a landmark of Baroque opera.

Image source: Giulio Cesare

Rivalry between singers Cuzzoni and Faustina

1726 - 1727

The engagement of rival prima donnas Francesca Cuzzoni and Faustina Bordoni led to public feuding among London opera audiences, culminating in a notorious on-stage brawl in June 1727 during Astianatte.

Image source: Faustina Bordoni

Founding of the Opera of the Nobility

1733

A rival opera company backed by aristocrats hostile to Handel was founded, poaching his star singer Senesino and intensifying competition that strained both companies financially.

Collapse of the Opera of the Nobility

1737

Both Handel's opera company and the Opera of the Nobility collapsed under financial strain in 1737, prompting Handel to shift his focus increasingly toward English oratorios.

Oratorios and Sacred Works

Composes La resurrezione in Rome

Apr 8, 1708

Handel's oratorio La resurrezione was performed at the Palazzo Bonelli in Rome with great success, financed by the Marquis Ruspoli, featuring Arcangelo Corelli as concertmaster.

Image source: La resurrezione

Water Music performed for George I on the Thames

Jul 17, 1717

The Water Music was famously performed on a barge on the River Thames for King George I and his court, reportedly helping restore Handel's standing with the king after his prolonged absence from Hanover.

Image source: Water Music

Water Music performed for George I on the Thames

Coronation anthems for George II

Oct 11, 1727

Handel composed four coronation anthems for the coronation of George II, including Zadok the Priest, which has been performed at every British coronation since.

Image source: Zadok the Priest

Athalia premiere in Oxford

Jul 10, 1733

Handel's third English oratorio, Athalia, premiered at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford to enthusiastic audiences, marking a growing public appetite for his choral works.

Image source: Athalia (Handel)

Composes twelve Concerti Grossi, Op. 3 and Op. 6

1739 - 1740

Handel published his Op. 3 concerti grossi and composed the twelve grand concertos of Op. 6, among the finest examples of the Baroque concerto grosso genre.

Image source: Concerti grossi, Op. 6 (Handel)

Premiere of Saul and Israel in Egypt

Jan 16, 1739 - Apr 4, 1739

Handel premiered Saul in January 1739 and Israel in Egypt in April 1739, the latter notable for its monumental double chorus and vivid musical depictions of the plagues of Egypt.

Image source: Egypt–Israel peace treaty

Premiere of Messiah in Dublin

Apr 13, 1742

Messiah premiered at the Music Hall on Fishamble Street in Dublin to tremendous acclaim, benefiting local charities. It became Handel's most famous work, with its Hallelujah Chorus achieving enduring popularity.

Image source: Messiah (Handel)

London premiere of Messiah

Mar 23, 1743

Messiah received its London premiere at Covent Garden Theatre. Tradition holds that King George II stood during the Hallelujah Chorus, beginning a custom still observed today.

Music for the Royal Fireworks

Apr 27, 1749

Handel's Music for the Royal Fireworks accompanied celebrations in Green Park marking the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, performed before an audience reported at over 12,000 people.

Image source: Music for the Royal Fireworks

Later Years and Legacy

Suffers serious illness and seeks recovery at Aachen

Apr 1737 - Sep 1737

In spring 1737 Handel suffered what appears to have been a stroke or rheumatic illness affecting his right arm; he traveled to Aachen, Germany, where hot baths restored his health remarkably quickly.

Eyesight fails after cataract operations

1751 - 1752

Handel's eyesight deteriorated badly, and unsuccessful cataract surgery by the charlatan John Taylor left him completely blind by 1752, though he continued performing and composing from memory.

Final performance of Messiah conducted by Handel

Apr 6, 1759

Despite failing health, Handel attended and conducted a performance of Messiah at Covent Garden, appearing for the last time in public just days before his death.

Death of Handel in London

Apr 14, 1759

Handel died at his home in Brook Street, London, aged 74. He was buried with full state honors in Westminster Abbey, and over 3,000 mourners attended his funeral.

Key Facts

Handel was born in Halle, Germany, in 1685, the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti.
He moved to London in 1712 and became a naturalized British citizen in 1727.
His oratorio Messiah, premiered in Dublin in 1742, includes the famous 'Hallelujah' chorus.
Handel founded opera companies in London and composed over 40 Italian operas before turning to English oratorios.
He went blind late in life but continued performing on the organ; he was buried with honors in Westminster Abbey.

Source

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