George Frederick Handel

Handel Facts

Born in Germany
As a child, played harpsichord and organ
Played violin, harpsichord, organ & piano
Harpsichord – feather quills plucking strings
Age 19, lived in Italy, wrote Italian operas, then oratorios
Oratorio = like opera, but less = story (usually serious or religious) sung without acting or costumes
Age 56, poor health, much debt, few friends, wrote most famous oratorio, the Messiah.
Most famous piece from the Messiah = Hallelujah Chorus = sung by choir, accompanied by orchestra
Four main singing parts of choir: soprano (highest voices), alto (second-highest voices), tenor (second-lowest voices), bass (lowest voices)