Front:
GEORGE FRIEDERICH HAENDEL
T. PRESSER CO., PHIL'A
BIRTHPLACE
AAAA
PIP
REWARD CARD
Back:
Born February 23, 1685.
Died April 14, 1759.
George Frederic Handel.
Born at Halle,
When a child,
his father being a physician.
he practiced on a poor spinet, hidden in the garret,
because his father disapproved of a musical career.
One day the Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels heard the boy
playing the organ, and advised that he have lessons
in composition, organ, violin and harpsichord.
In 1704 he became director of the orchestra in
Hamburg; in 1706, visited Italy; in 1710, accepted
the post of music-director to the Elector of Hanover
(afterward King George I, of England); in 1720, took
up residence in London. He became director of the
opera, and wrote 19, but because of the jealousy of
others, turned, in 1740, to oratorio-writing. He was
a great favorite in England. Like Bach he died blind.
He is buried in Westminster Abbey.
Handel was a remarkable performer on the organ
and harpsichord; excelled in chorus-writing. He
composed very rapidly-"The Messiah" in 27 days.
Among his familiar compositions is "The Harmonious
Blacksmith." His greatest oratorios are "The Mes-
siah,'
" "Israel in Egypt" and "Judas Maccabæus."
grave
From the Overture to "THE MESSIAH."
George Frideric Hander
Published by THEO. PRESSER CO., Philadelphia, Pa.
