Chapter 11:The Late Baroque: Handel

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

• Career:– Hamburg (1703-1706)

– Italy (1706-1710)

– Hanover (1710)

– London (1710-1759)

• Reputation

Handel and the Orchestral Dance Suite• Water Music (1717): Part of a program of popular

entertainments, including an evening of music on the Thames– Musicians played on a barge next to King George I’s boat

– Dance Suite:

• Allemande:

• Sarabande:

• Minuet:

Binary form

Handel and Opera• Handel emigrated from Germany to England in 1710 to

make money producing Italian opera

• Formed the Royal Academy of Music

• Opera seria:

• 1728: Royal Academy of Music went bankrupt

• Handel turned to Oratorio

Handel and the Oratorio• Oratorio:

• The Messiah (1741)

– Three Parts:

I. Prophecy and Birth

II. Triumph of the Gospel

III.Victory over Death

The Messiah • “He shall feed His flock” – Alludes to the birth of Christ

– Pastoral aria:

The Messiah • “Halleluiah” chorus – Feeling of triumphant resurrection

– Variety of choral styles in quick succession

– Masterful use of contrasting textures to create drama

– King George’s (rumored) reaction to the music