Social Environment
Handel's Exposure to Music Education:
Handel has a very unsupportive Father, who wanted him to study nothing but Law. Fortunately, Duke Johann Adolf realised Handel's extraordinary music talents. The duke then persuaded Handel's father to allow young Handel to study music.Handel took music lessons from Sir Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, an organist. Handel's proper musical education journey starts here.
Handel's affiliation with King George 1 & 2:
King George One was the former Elector of Hadover whom Handel first started working for. King George Two, was the king who started the tradition of standing up during Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. Handel composed public ceremonial music and many works such as Oratorios, Anthems etc , especially for King George Two and his royal family.
Handel's fight with Matteson:
Handel played the second violin in the Opera Orchestra as a living. Handel befriended the composer Johann Matteson. At one performance of Matteson's Opera, the two got into a fight over who was to play the harpsichord. They went outside for a duel that thankfully was terminated quickly when Matteson's sword broke on contacting a button on handel's coat.They still remain as friends after the incident.
Handel's Finance:
Handel had many rich and music-appreciative patrons such as Sir Richard Boyle and the Royal courts throughout his career life. In addition, Handel was also an entreprenenu in the Opera House. He assumed responsibility for the production of his works and shared in the box office profits. Attendance at his Opera concerts dwindled, as his italian Opera company had to compete with many rising English Opera companies. Though he bankrupted twice in life, he died a rich man.
What people thought of Handel:
Handel was known as " A big time impresario, who had his own money on the line". One of his contemporaries also describe Handel as a stubborn and angry man when provoked, but he could also be remarkably generous. He was temperamental, he loved freedom, and he hated restrictions which placed limits on his art.
Cultural Environment
Strict Society:Handel grew up in a Society, where people were encouarged to be quiet, work hard and follow the rules of their religion. Doing things because they were enjoyable wasn't approved. Women were not of equal status as men in their society as well.
Power lies in Royalty:
Kings and Queens of Europe spent lavish wealth on entertainment, and they were often willing to hire the best musicians in their time to perform for them.
Fierce Compeition among Musicians:
Handel's Italian Opera Company had to compete with English Opera Companies whom were getting more and more well-recieved by the society.
Labels: George Frederic Handel
Posted by Wee Ni Swen 30 September, 2010 at 9:25 AM .
Team Mates
Baroque Performers Tag
Past
Previous Entries
»
Strozzi - Reputation and talent
» Leclair - Music with character
» Strozzi, Barbara
» Handel - Portrait
» Leclair - Potrait
» Strozzi - Cultural & Social Environment
» Music History Group 3 Project Direction
Archives.
»
September 2010
» October 2010
Music Player