On This Day

George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London

George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Handel spent his early...

George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti.

Born in Halle, Handel spent his early life in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712, where he spent the bulk of his career and became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition and by composers of the Italian Baroque. In turn, Handel's music forms one of the peaks of the "high baroque" style, bringing Italian opera to its highest development, creating the genres of English oratorio and organ concerto, and introducing a new style into English church music.

Historical Significance

George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti.

Key People

George Frideric Handel

Musician

German-British Baroque composer

Events Before

  1. George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" is performed for the first time at the New Music Hall in Dublin

    Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. The text was compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens.

  2. First indoor swimming pool opens in Goodman's Fields, London

    First indoor swimming pool opens in Goodman's Fields, London

  3. HMS Tyger runs aground on coral reefs near Garden Key, Florida, (rediscovered 1993 and identified 2024) [1]

    HMS Tyger runs aground on coral reefs near Garden Key, Florida, (rediscovered 1993 and identified 2024) [1]

  4. German leaders elect Charles VII, Prince Elector of Bavaria, Holy Roman Emperor

    German leaders elect Charles VII, Prince Elector of Bavaria, Holy Roman Emperor

  5. Sardinia and Austria sign military alliance Convention of Turin

    The Convention of Turin was a 1742 agreement between Austria and Sardinia signed in the Sardinian capital of Turin.

Events After

  1. English astronomer James Bradley announces the discovery of Earth's nutation, or wobble

    English astronomer James Bradley announces the discovery of Earth's nutation, or wobble

  2. French and Spanish fleet leave Toulon

    The Battle of Toulon took place on 21 and 22 February 1744 NS near the French Mediterranean port of Toulon.

  3. Battle at Toulon (French/Spanish vs English fleet of Adm Matthews)

    Battle at Toulon (French/Spanish vs English fleet of Adm Matthews)

  4. Battle of Toulon [Battle of Cape Sicié]: Spanish naval fleet supported by France's Levant fleet breaks through a two-yea

    Battle of Toulon [Battle of Cape Sicié]: Spanish naval fleet supported by France's Levant fleet breaks through a two-year-old British blockade of Italy, allowing the Spanish to go on the offensive against Savoy

  5. English auction house Sotheby's holds its first ever auction (of books) in London

    Sotheby's ( SUDH-ə-beez) is a British-founded multinational corporation with headquarters in New York City.

More from the 1740s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 23, 1743?
George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti. Born in Halle, Handel spent his early life in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712, where he spent the bulk of his career and became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition and by composers of the Italian Baroque.
Why is George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera Hous... significant?
George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was a German-British Baroque composer well-known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, and organ concerti.
Who was involved in George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres at the Royal Opera Hous...?
Key figures include George Frideric Handel (Musician).

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