George Frideric Handel Life and Musical Career

Question 1

How is Handel’s life divided?

Answer 1

in 4 periods

Question 2

What are Handel’s life periods?

Answer 2

<b>Hamburg
Italy
Hanover
London</b>

Question 3

When was Handel’s <b>Hamburg Period</b>?

Answer 3

1703 - 1706

Question 4

What musical jobs did Handel work as during his <b>Hamburg Period</b>?

Answer 4

violinist and harpsichordist in <u>opera orchestra</u>

Question 5

What were Handel’s earliest operas in his <b>Hamburg Period</b>?

Answer 5

<i>Almira</i>

Nero</i>

Question 6

When was Handel’s <b>Italy Period</b>?

Answer 6

1706 - 1710

Question 7

Who did Handel work for during his <b>Italy Period</b>?

Answer 7

<b>Prince Ferdinand de Medici</b>

Prince Francesco Ruspoli</b>

Question 8

What style did Handel absorb during his <b>Italy Period</b>?

Answer 8

Italian musical style and language,

evident in operas, oratorios, concertos

Question 9

What major cities did Handel visit during his <b>Italy Period</b>?

Answer 9

Florence,
Rome,
Naples,
Venice

Question 10

When was Handel’s <b>Hanover Period</b>?

Answer 10

1710 - 1712

Question 11

Who was Handel appoint kapellmeister to during his <b>Hanover Period</b>?

Answer 11

<b>George Ludwig, Elector of Hanover</b>

future King George I

Question 12

When was Handel’s <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 12

1712 - 1759

Question 13

Who award Handel an annual salary during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 13

<b>Queen Anne</b>, (first of many royal commissions and patronage appointments)

Question 14

What happened after the death of Handel’s patron <b>Queen Anne</b> on 1714 during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 14

<b>Elector of Hanover</b> (Handel’s former patron) proclaimed King George I

Question 15

Who are Handel’s other influential patrons during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 15

<b>Earl of Burlington,</b>

Duke of Chandos</b>

Question 16

What did Handel co-find on 1719 during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 16

<b>The Royal Academy of Music</b>,

to promote Italian opera in London

Question 17

What are some London productions by Handel during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 17

<i>Giulio Cesare,
Tamerlano,
Rodelinda,
Alcina,
Serse</i>

Question 18

Which leading singers did Handel work with during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 18

<b>Faustina Bordini,</b>

Francesca Cuzzoni</b>

Question 19

What happened to Handel when King George I died on 1727 during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 19

Handel commissioned to write music for the coronation of King George II

Question 20

Which premiere caused Handel to be unsure of his future for Italian opera during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 20

1728 the premiere of <b>John Gay’s</b> <i>The Beggar’s Opera</i>,
(English language ballad opera)

Question 21

Which genres did Handel turn to during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 21

oratorio, concerto, concerto gross

Question 22

Which of Handel’s premiere attracted the middle class audiences during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 22

1742 <i>Messiah</i> in Dublin, Ireland

English oratorio and less expensive,

stopped writing operas

Question 23

Why did Handel retire from public performances in 1753 during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 23

failing eyesight

Question 24

What was Handel’s love life like during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 24

remained unmarried, gave generously to charity

Question 25

What happened when Handel became blind during his <b>London Period</b>?

Answer 25

still continued to compose

Question 26

When did Handel die?

Answer 26

1759 April 14, famous and wealthy,

interred at Westminster Abbey