Georg Friedrich Händel (23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German, later British, baroque composer who spent the bulk of his career in London, becoming well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos. Handel received important training in Halle and worked as a composer in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712; he became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the great composers of the Italian Baroque and by the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition. (Intro from Wikipedia)
February 23, 1685 - Halle, Duchy of Magdeburg - Georg Friedrich Händel is born
February 24, 1685 - Halle - Georg Friedrich is baptized at the Marktkirche
January(?) 1(?), 1692(?) - Weissenfels - Georg Friedrich accompanies his father, Georg Händel, in one of his trips at the Duke Johann Adolf I's service. There he was heard by the sovereign at the moment in which he improvised at the organ of the Ducal Chapel. Excited by the boy's talent, the Duke made it clear to his "Valet de Chambre" that it was time to give him a more systematic musical training.
January(?) 1(?), 1696(?) - Berlin - Georg Friedrich, 11, goes to Berlin with his father and meets Prince Frederick III, Elector of Brandenburg and his wife, Sofia Carlota. Impressed with the talent of the little harpsichordist, the sovereigns offer him a scholarship in Italy. Georg Händel refuses the offer, arguing that a lawyer's career would ensure a respectable future for his son.
January(?) 1(?), 1697 - Halle - Begins working as an assistant to Johann Christoph Leporin, organist of the Calvinist Cathedral of Halle
February 11, 1697 - Halle - Georg Händel dies. Georg Friedrich decides to fulfill his father's will
January(?) 1(?), 1701 - Leipzig - Georg Friedrich meets Georg Philipp Telemann
January(?) 1(?), 1702(?) - Berlin - Händel meets the italian composers Giovanni Bononcini and Attilio Ariosti (1666-1729) at the court of the Elector of Brandenburg.
February 10, 1702 - Halle - Georg Friedrich enrolls at the University of Halle
March 13, 1702 - Halle - 17-year old Händel accepts the position of organist at the Calvinist Cathedral in Halle, the Domkirche, replacing Leporin, dismissed from office for alcoholism and unstable conduct. The job was worth the salary of 5 thalers a year and lodgings in the run-down castle of Moritzburg =(START)
June(?) 1(?), 1703 - Hamburg - Händel arrives in Hamburg (June or July)
July 9, 1703 - Hamburg - Händel accepts a position as violinist and harpsichordist in the orchestra of the Hamburg "Oper am Gänsemarkt". Meets Johann Mattheson (1681-1764)
August 17, 1703 - Lübeck - Händel and Mattheson visit the organist/composer Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) to apply for the post of organist of the Marienkirche in Lübeck. One of the conditions is for Buxtehude's successor to marry his daughter; both decline to do so (as does J.S. Bach 2 years later)
January(?) 1(?), 1704 - Hamburg - Johann Mattheson usurps Händel's job as professor of one of the children of the English consul in Hamburg, John Wyche
February 17, 1704 - Hamburg - Premiere of "St.Johann Passion", a work that might have been composed by Händel
October 20, 1704 - Hamburg - Attends the rehearsals of "Cleopatra" (Mattheson)
December 5, 1704 - Hamburg - Händel refuses to turn over the harpsichord to Johann Mattheson during performance of Mattheson's opera, Cleopatra. This leads to a sword duel between the two. It is told that during the swordplay, Händel was saved by a button on his coat that deflected Mattheson's mortally-directed blade
December 30, 1704 - Hamburg - Händel and Mattheson reconcile during a dinner promoted by a mutual friend, Counselor Schott (the animosity was in part because of Mattheson's envy for Händel's success on the Holy Week with his St.Johann Passion)
January 8, 1705 - Hamburg - Premiere of Händel's first opera - Almira - at the Oper am Gänsemarkt - Resounding success!
January 25, 1705 - Hamburg - End of the daily presentations of "Almira" - Händel meets Prince Giovanni Gastone de Medici
February 25, 1705 - Hamburg - Premiere of "Nero" at the Oper am Gänsemarkt
August 1(?), 1706 - Hamburg - Händel resigns from his posts and with the 200 ducats he had saved, departs Hamburg and sets out for Italy
October(?) 1(?), 1706 - Florence, Italy - Händel arrives in Florence
January 14, 1707 - Rome - Händel arrives in Rome
April 4, 1707 - Rome - Händel completes the Dixit Dominus in Rome
May 1(?), 1707 - Rome - Employed at the Pallazzo Bonelli (until October) as household musician to Marchese Francesco Maria di Ruspoli (primarily to compose canatas for meetings of the Arcadian Academy)
May 14, 1707 - Rome - Concert at Cardinal Ottoboni's house - possible date of the famous organ/harpsichord competition between Händel and Domenico Scarlatti
June 1(?), 1707 - Rome - Premiere of Händel's first Oratorio - "Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno" (Palace of Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni, Rome)
June 12, 1707 - Vignanello - Premiere of the Motet "O qualis de coelo sonus"
June 13, 1707 - Vignanello - Premiere of the Motet "Coelestis Dum spirat aura"
June 19, 1707 - Vignanello - Premiere of the Antiphon "Salve Regina"
June 26, 1707 - Rome - Premiere of the cantata "Armida abbandonata or Dietro l'orme fuggaci" at the Palazzo Bonelli
July 16, 1707 - Rome - Performance of Dixit Dominus HWV 232 in the Church of Santa Maria in Montesanto
September 24, 1707 - Rome - departs to Venice
September 30, 1707 - Venice - Händel arrives to Venice. Probably meets Prince Ernst August of Hanover (the Elector's brother)
October 14, 1707 - Venice(?) - Händel writes the cantata "Clori, Tirsi e Fileno"
November 1(?), 1707 - Florence - Händel leaves Venice, returns to Florence
November(?) 25(?), 1707 - Florence - Premiere of "Rodrigo" in the Cocomero Theatre
March 3, 1708 - Rome - Händel returns to the Pallazzo Bonelli in Rome
April(?) 1(?), 1708 - Rome - Arrives in Rome "in the spring"
April 8, 1708 - Rome - Premiere of the sacred Oratorio "La Resurrezione" HWV47 on Easter Sunday in Ruspoli's Pallazzo, with the "castrato" Pippo and Arcangelo Corelli leading the Orchestra
May 30(?), 1708 - Rome - Händel travels to Naples. Stays there for about 10 weeks
July 1(?), 1708 - Naples - Arrives in Naples
July 14, 1708 - Naples - Performance of "Aminta e Fillide"
July 19, 1708 - Naples - Performance of the cantata "Aci, Galatea e Polifemo"
September 2, 1708 - Rome - Premiere of the cantata "Ah! Crudel, nel pianto mio" at the Palazzo Bonelli
September 9, 1708 - Rome - Premiere of the cantata "Olinto pastore, Tebro fiume, Gloria or O come chiare e belle" at Ruspoli's Pallazzo Bonelli
October 28, 1708 - Rome - Premiere of the cantata "Amarilli vezzosa or Daliso ed Amarilli or il Duello amoroso"
June(?) 1(?), 1709 - Rome - Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni holds a keyboard "trial of skill" between Domenico Scarlatti and Händel. At the conclusion of the contest, Händel is judged the better organist, while Scarlatti is deemed the superior harpsichordist
November 9, 1709 - Rome - Prince Ferdinando writes a letter of recommendation concerning Händel to Prince Carl von Neuburg, Governor of Tyrol, in Innsbruck
November(?) 25(?), 1709 - Rome - Händel departs to Venice, never to see Domenico Scarlatti again
December 1(?), 1709 - Venice - Arrives in Venice
December 26, 1709 - Venice - Premiere of "Agrippina" at the Teatro San Giovanni Crisostomo - The opera runs for 27 nights successively with huge success. During the performance, the audience reportedly calls out "Viva il caro Sassone!" (trans., "Long Live the Beloved Saxon"). The British Ambassador, Earl of Manchester, falls in love with the work (First invitation for Händel to move to England)
February 25(?), 1710 - Venice - Händel departs Venice
March 1(?), 1710 - Innsbruck, Austria - Händel arrives in Innsbruck. Declines Prince Carl von Neuburg's offer of a court position. Travels on to Hanover
June 4, 1710 - Hanover - Arrives in Hanover "in the spring"
June 16, 1710 - Hanover - 25 year-old Händel is appointed Kapellmeister to Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover (future King George I), at a salary of 1,000 thaler under the condition of acceptance that Händel receive an immediate 12-month leave of absence to London. Plays for the delighted future King George I of England and Queen Caroline
August(?) 1(?), 1710 - Halle - Händel travels to Halle to pay respects to his mother and Zachow
September 1(?), 1710 - Düsseldorf - Händel visits the Eletor of Palatinate, where he is well received
November(?) 10(?), 1710 - Düsseldorf - Visit to Anna Maria Luisa de Medici at the Palatinate Court. Departs Düsseldorf to London, via the Netherlands
December(?) 1(?), 1710 - London - Arrival in London for the first time
February 24, 1711 - London - Premiere of "Rinaldo", at the Queen's Theatre in London's Haymarket, feathuring the stars Giuseppe Boschi (Basso) and the "castrato" Nicolini, who, with his pyrotechnical adornments, almost brought the house down - a success so resounding that the theater was damaged after the furious applause
June 2, 1711 - London - Performance of "Rinaldo" at the Queen's Theatre, Haymarket. Händel leaves London for Germany
June 17, 1711 - Düsseldorf - Visit to Düsseldorf - The Elector of Palatine writes a letter to the Elector of Hanover apologizing for Handel detention explaining that he sought Händel's opinion on some musical instruments
July 1(?), 1711 - Hanover(?) - Händel comments to a friend that he was learning english
November 23, 1711 - Halle - Händel visits Halle for the baptism of his niece Johanna and stands as Godfather
August 7, 1712 - (while in) Hanover - In Halle, Händel's teacher Zachow dies, aged 48
September(?) 1(?), 1712 - Hanover - Receives permission from the Elector of Hanover to return to London "on condition that he return within a reasonable time."
October 1(?), 1712 - London - Händel returns to London for the next opera season - stays with "Mr. Andrews of Barn-Elms" (now Barnes, in Surrey) and later at Burlington House (Piccadilly) with Richard Boyle, the Earl of Burlington
November 22, 1712 - London - Premiere of "Il Pastor Fido" (without Nicolini) at the Queen's Theatre
January 10, 1713 - London - Premiere of "Teseo" at the Queen's Theatre. On the 2nd performance night of "Teseo" (11-1-1713), the theater manager, Owen Swiney (1676-1754), flees to Italy with the box office receipts
February 6, 1713 - St.James's Palace, London - Premiere of "Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne" at the Royal Palace
March 5, 1713 - London - Rehearsal for "Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate" at the newly finished St.Paul's Cathedral
March 7, 1713 - St.Paul's Cathedral, London - Rehearsal for "Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate" at the newly finished St.Paul's Cathedral
May 6, 1713 - (while in) London - Händel is dismissed from Hanoverian post
June 1(?), 1713 - London - Premiere of "Silla" at the Queen's Theatre
July 7, 1713 - St.Paul's Cathedral, London - Premiere of "Utrecht Te Deum and Jubilate", a sacred choral composition to celebrate the Treaty of Utrecht
December 28, 1713 - London - Queen Anne grants Händel a pension of £200 per annum
September 26, 1714 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of the Anthem "O Come, let us sing unto the Lord"
October 20, 1714 - Westminster Abbey, London - Coronation of Prince Georg Ludwig, Elector of Hanover, as King George I of Great Britain and Ireland
December 30, 1714 - London - Performance of a revived version of "Rinaldo"
February 23, 1715 - London - Performance of the song "The faithful Maid/The Melancholy Nymph: 'Twas when the seas were roaring'" at the Drury Lane Theatre
May 25, 1715 - London - Premiere of "Amadigi di Gaula" at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, with the famous "castrato" Nicolini
August 22, 1715 - River Thames, London - George I travels by barge on the Thames between Whitehall and Limehouse. Händel's music may have been performed during this excursion
February 16, 1716 - London - Performance of "Amagidi di Gaula"
June 20, 1716 - London - First performance of the Concerto Grosso in F Major Op.3 nº4 at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
August(?) 1(?), 1716 - Ansbach, Germany - Händel visits his old friend, Johann Christoph Schmidt (subsequently changes name to John Christopher Smith; 1683-1763). Händel persuades Schmidt to leave his trade (wool merchant) and return with him to London as his treasurer and copyist
September(?) 1(?), 1716 - Hanover - Visit to Hanover with George I
December(?) 1(?), 1716 - London - Händel returns to London
January 5, 1717 - London - Performance of "Rinaldo" at the King's Theatre
February 16, 1717 - London - Performance of "Amagidi di Gaula" at the King's Theatre
March 21, 1717 - London - Third performance of "Amagidi di Gaula" with a new scene
June 5, 1717 - London - Last presentation of "Rinaldo". French dancer Marie Sallé appears for the first time in one of Händel's operas
July 17, 1717 - Thames River, London - First performance of "Watermusic". At about 8 p.m. on Wednesday, 17 July 1717, King George I and several aristocrats boarded a royal barge at Whitehall Palace, for an excursion up the Thames toward Chelsea. The rising tide propelled the barge upstream without rowing. Another barge, provided by the City of London, contained about 50 musicians who performed Handel's music. Many other Londoners also took to the river to hear the concert. According to The Courant, "the whole River in a manner was covered" with boats and barges. On arriving at Chelsea, the king left his barge, then returned to it at about 11 p.m. for the return trip. The king was so pleased with the Water Music that he ordered it to be repeated at least three times, both on the trip upstream to Chelsea and on the return, until he landed again at Whitehall.
August 4, 1717 - Cannons, Middlesex - Händel arrives at Cannons (near Edgeware in Middlesex). He enters the service (as composer-in-residence) of James Brydges (1674-1744), Earl of Carnarvon (later the 1st Duke of Chandos). He joins there the Master-of-the-Music, the German composer, Johann Christoph Pepusch (1667-1752)
February 1(?), 1719 - Cannons, Middlesex - Händel leaves Cannons
May 14, 1719 - London - Lord Chamberlain (Thomas Holles, Duke of Newcastle) commands Händel to hire singers for the opera on behalf of the Royal Academy of Music. Händel is sent "forthwith to repair to Italy, Germany or such other Place or Places as you shall think proper, there to make Contracts with such Singer or Singers as you shall judge fit to perform on the English Stage....That Mr. Hendel engage Senezino (sic.) as soon as possible to Serve the said Company and [f]or as many Years as may be."
May 30(?), 1719 - London - Händel leaves London for Germany
June(?) 10(?), 1719 - Düsseldorf | Halle - Händel visits the elector of Palatine's court at Düsseldorf; travels on to Halle and stays with his family. J.S. Bach, travelling from Cöthen, narrowly misses meeting up with Händel
July 15, 1719 - Dresden - Händel arrives in Dresden. Writes to the Earl of Burlington, that he was "waiting for the engagements of Sinesino (sic.), Berselli and Guizzardi (sic., Guicciardi) to be concluded."
September 13, 1719 - Dresden - Attends the Premiere of "Teofane" (at least 1 performance)
November 30, 1719 - (while in) Dresden - In his absence, the Royal Academy of Music appoints Händel as "Master of the Orchester with a Sallary."
January(?) 1(?), 1720 - London - Händel returns to London
April 27, 1720 - London - Premiere of "Radamisto" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket. The performance is attended by King George I and his son, the Prince of Wales
June 14, 1720 - London - Granted royal warrant for sole right to publish his music for the next 14 years. (Due to on-going piracy problems, the warrant is deemed ineffectual and is dropped in 1724.)
September 30(?), 1720 - London - "Alto-castrato" Senesino (Francesco Bernardi), "soprano-castrato" Mateo Berselli and Maddalena Salvai (Soprano) arrive in London
November 14, 1720 - London - "Suites des pièces pour le clavecin (first collection)" is published
December 28, 1720 - London - Performance of a revived version of "Radamisto" with the superstar "castrato" Senesino
December 31, 1720 - London - Performance of a revived version of "Radamisto" with the superstar "castrato" Senesino
March 23, 1721 - London - The directors of the Royal Academy decide to settle the incipient rivalry between its three house composers by inviting each to submit one act of a composite opera. Act 1 was composed by Filippo Amadei; Act 2 was composed by Giovanni Bononcini; Act 3 was composed by Händel.) Händel is deemed the victor of the contest
April 15, 1721 - London - Premiere of "Muzio Scevola" - Only act 3 by Händel
July 5, 1721 - London - A new cantata, probably Crudel tiranno amor (HWV 97), is sung by Margherita Durastanti (soprano) at her benefit concert, at the King's Theatre
November 25, 1721 - London - Performance of "Radamisto"
December 9, 1721 - London - Premiere of "Floridante" at the King's Theatre, with the "castrato" Senesino - a success!
February 9, 1722 - London - Stationer's Hall, London - Concert Performance of "Watermusic" at the Stationer's Hall
October 7, 1722 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of the Anthem "As pants the hart"
November 7, 1722 - London - Performance of a revived version of "Muzio Scevola" at the King's Theatre
December 1(?), 1722 - London - Francesca Cuzzoni (Soprano) arrives in London. She refuses to sing her first aria "Falsa imagine" from Ottone, re di Germania (HWV 15). Händel threatens to throw Cuzzoni from the window. John Mainwaring, Händel's first biographer, relates the anecdote as follows: "Having one day some words with CUZZONI on her refusing to sing Falsa imagine in OTTONE; Oh! Madame (said he) je scais [sic.] bien que Vous êtes une véritable Diablesse: mais je Vous ferai sçavoir, moi, que je suis Beelzebub le Chéf des Diables. With this he took her up by the waist, and, if she made any more words, swore that he would fling her out of the window." (trans.: Madam, I know you are a veritable devil, but I would have you know that I am Beelzebub, chief of the Devils.)
December 4, 1722 - London - Performance of "Floridante"
January 12, 1723 - London - Premiere of "Ottone, re di Germania" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with the "castrato" Senesino and Francesca Cuzzoni (in her London debut)
February 25, 1723 - London - Händel is admitted "into the place and quality of Composer of Musick for his Majesty's Chappel Royal" and granted royal annual pension
March 20, 1723 - London - First performance of the Concerto Grosso in F Major (HWV348) at the Drury Lane Theatre
April 1(?), 1723 - London - Plans are drawn up to move the opera company to Paris in July, but these aren't realized
May 14, 1723 - London - Premiere of "Flavio" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with the Castrato "Senesino"
June 9, 1723 - London - Händel is appointed "Master of Music to the Royal Princesses (Anne and Caroline)
July 1(?), 1723 - London - Händel moves into a Brook Street house
December 11, 1723 - London - Performance of the revived "Ottone, re di Germania" at the King's Theatre
January 5, 1724 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of the Anthem "I will magnify thee"
February 20, 1724 - London - Premiere of "Giulio Cesare" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with the superstar "castrato" Senesino and Francesca Cuzzoni - an imediate Success!
August 24, 1724 - St.Paul's Cathedral, London - Händel plays the organ before the royal Princesses (Anne and Caroline)
October 31, 1724 - London - Premiere of "Tamerlano" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar "castrato" Senesino and Francesca Cuzzoni
January 2, 1725 - London - Performance of the revived "Giulio Cesare in Egitto" at the King's Theatre
February 13, 1725 - London - Premiere of "Rodelinda" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar "castrato" Senesino and Francesca Cuzzoni
May 1, 1725 - London - Performance of "Tamerlano" at the King's Theatre
December 18, 1725 - London - Performance of a revived version of "Rodelinda"
January 16, 1726 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of the Anthem "Let God arise"
February 8, 1726 - London - Performance of "Ottone, re di Germania" at the King's Theatre
March 12, 1726 - London - Premiere of "Scipione" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with the "castrato" Senesino
May 5, 1726 - London - Premiere of "Alessandro" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with the "castrato" Senesino and Faustina Bordoni's London debut - Received with great applause! (Animosity between the two superstar Prima-donnas Faustina Bordoni and Francesca Cuzzoni)
January 31, 1727 - London - Premiere of "Admeto" at the Haymarket Theatre, with superstar Prima Donnas Francesca Cuzzoni, Faustina Bordoni and the "castrato" Senesino
February 20, 1727 - London - Royal Assent is bestowed on Act to naturalize Händel, who becomes a naturalized englishman
April 11, 1727 - London - Performance of "Ottone, re di Germania" at the King's Theatre
April 29, 1727 - London - Performance of "Floridante" at the King's Theatre
September 30, 1727 - London - Performance of "Admeto, re di Tessaglia" at the King's Theatre
October 6, 1727 - Westminster Abbey, London - Rehearsals for the Coronation Anthems
October 11, 1727 - Westminster Abbey, London - Presentation of the "Coronation Anthems" (Zadok the Priest, Let thy Hand be strengthened, The King shall rejoice, My Heart is Inditing) at the Coronation of King George II
November 11, 1727 - London - Premiere of "Riccardo Primo, Re d'Inghilterra" at the King's Theatre with superstar Prima Donnas Francesca Cuzzoni, Faustina Bordoni and the "castrato" Senesino
December 30, 1727 - London - Performance of "Alessandro" at the King's Theatre
January 20(?), 1728 - London - Performance of "Radamisto" at the King's Theatre, with the superstar "castrato" Senesino and the Prima Donnas Faustina Bordoni and Francesca Cuzzoni
February 17, 1728 - London - Premiere of "Siroe" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar Prima Donnas Francesca Cuzzoni, Faustina Bordoni and the "castrato" Senesino
April 30, 1728 - London - Premiere of "Tolomeo" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar Prima Donnas Francesca Cuzzoni, Faustina Bordoni and "castrato" Senesino
May 25, 1728 - London - Performance of "Admeto, re di Tessaglia" at the King's Theatre
January 18, 1729 - London - Heidegger and Händel enter into an agreement with the directors of the Academy to continue operas at the King's Theatre for 5 years under their own management
February 4, 1729 - London - Händel departs for Italy to employ new opera singers
March 11, 1729 - Venice, Italy - Händel arrives in Venice
April(?) 1(?), 1729 - Bologna - Passing through Bologna on his way to Naples
April(?) 15(?), 1729 - Rome - Passing through Rome on his way to Naples
April(?) 30(?), 1729 - Naples - Händel hires Antonio Maria Bernacchi (alto-castrato), Anna Maria Strada del Pò (soprano), and Annibale Pio Fabbri, called "Balino" (tenor); fails to engage Farinelli (castrato)
June 1(?), 1729 - Hamburg - Händel recruits the "bass" Johann Gottfried Riemschneider
June 10(?), 1729 - Hanover - Visit to Hanover
June 20(?), 1729 - Halle - Händel sees his mother for the last time. Wilhelm Friedrich Bach travels to Halle and invites Händel to meet his father, J.S.Bach, but Händel declines the invitation
June 29, 1729 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London
October 10, 1729 - Kensington Palace, London - Händel introduces new opera soloist, Anna Maria Strada del Pò, at a performance before the Royal Family
October 11, 1729 - Kensington Palace, London - Letter from Princess Amelia to her governess, Lady Portland: "...We had yesterday twice the new Singer her name is Strada it is a charming voice and think her beyond all her predecessors. She is mighty good and easie and hath exactly the way of talking of Cozzony [Cuzzoni]. The others ant [aren't] yet come but indeed if they proove but half as good we shall be very happy this Winter."
October 23, 1729 - Kensington Palace, London - Letter from Princess Amelia to her governess, Lady Portland: "...We have heard now all the Singers and are mighty happy satisified it is the compleatest troop one could have expected…"
December 2, 1729 - London - Premiere of "Lotario" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "alto-castrato" Antonio Maria Bernacchi
January 17, 1730 - London - Performance of "Giulio Cesare in Egitto" at the King's Theatre with "alto-castrato" Antonio Maria Bernacchi"
February 24, 1730 - London - Premiere of "Partenope" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "alto-castrato" Antonio Maria Bernacchi
May 19, 1730 - London - Performance of "Tolomeo" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar Prima Donnas Francesca Cuzzoni, Faustina Bordoni and "castrato" Senesino
November 3, 1730 - London - Performance of "Scipione" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
December 12, 1730 - London - Performance of "Partenope" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket - Senesino rejoins as "Arsace"
February 2, 1731 - London - Premiere of "Poro, re dell'Indie" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "castrato" Senesino
April 6, 1731 - London - Performance of "Rinaldo" (1711)
May 4, 1731 - London - Presentation of "Rodelinda" (1725)
November 13, 1731 - London - Performance of "Tamerlano" (1724)
December 7, 1731 - London - Performance of "Admeto, re di Tessaglia" at the King's Theatre
December 23, 1731 - London - Performance of "Poro, re dell'Indie" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "castrato" Senesino
January 15, 1732 - London - Premiere of "Ezio" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "castrato" Senesino
February 1, 1732 - London - Performance of "Giulio Cesare in Egitto"
February 15, 1732 - London - Premiere of "Sosarme", with "castrato" Senesino
February 23, 1732 - London - Premiere of "Esther" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar "castrato" Senesino
April 18, 1732 - London - Händel directs four performances of a revived version of "Flavio" (1723)
June 10, 1732 - London - Premiere of "Acis and Galatea", with superstar "castrato" Senesino
November 25, 1732 - London - Performance of "Orlando" at the King's Theatre
December 2, 1732 - London - Performance of "Acis and Galatea" at the King's Theatre
December 5, 1732 - London - Letter from Aaron Hill to Händel, imploring him "to deliver us from our Italian bondage; and demonstrate, that English is soft enough for opera, when compos'd by poets, who know how to distinguish the sweetness of our tongue, from the strength of it."
January 2, 1733 - London - Performance of "Tolomeo" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar "castrato" Senesino (Without Bordoni and Cuzzoni)
January 27, 1733 - London - Premiere of "Orlando" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar "castrato" Senesino
March 3, 1733 - London - Performance of "Floridante" at the King's Theatre
March 17, 1733 - London - Premiere of "Deborah" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with superstar "castrato" Senesino
April 14, 1733 - London - Performance of "Esther" at the King's Theatre
June 15, 1733 - London - "Opera of the Nobility" established, in open opposition to Händel and his supporters. Händel's leading singers, including Senesino, defect to the rival company (except Strada del Pò)
July 5, 1733 - Oxford - Performance of "Esther" at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
July 7, 1733 - Oxford - Performance of "Esther" at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford
July 10, 1733 - Oxford - Premiere of "Athalia" at the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford (without Carestini)
July 12, 1733 - Oxford - Performance of "Deborah" at the Sheldonian Theatre. Händel plays the organ
August(?) 1(?), 1733 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London and recruits "mezzo-soprano castrato" Carestini
November 13, 1733 - London - Performance of "Ottone, re di Germania" at the King's Theatre
January 26, 1734 - London - Premiere of "Arianna in Creta" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "castrato" Carestini
March 13, 1734 - London - Premiere of the festa teatrale "Parnasso in Festa" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, to celebrate the marriage of Anne, Princess Royal and Prince William of Orange. The Royal Family attends the Premiere
March 14, 1734 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of "Parnasso in Festa" at the french Chapel in St.Jame's Palace
April 2, 1734 - London - Performance of "Deborah" in english/italian form
April 12, 1734 - Brook Street, London - Musical soirée at the house of Mary Delaney, his neighbour
April 27, 1734 - London - Performance of "Sosarme, re di Media" at the King's Theatre
May 7, 1734 - London - Performance of "Acis and Galatea" at the King's Theatre
May 18, 1734 - London - Performance of "Il Pastor Fido" (1712) with the "castrato" Carestini
July 6, 1734 - London - Last of 13 performances of the revised version of "Il Pastor Fido"
August 27, 1734 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London after having visited "the country". He and John Rich reach agreement to hold next opera season at Covent Garden Theatre
October 31, 1734 - London - Royal bounty of £1000 ordered to be paid to Händel
November 4, 1734 - Kensington Palace, London - Private preview of "Ariodante" for the Royal family, in order to retain a royal subsidy
November 9, 1734 - London - Performance of a revised version of "Il Pastor Fido" (1712) at the Covent Garden, with the "castrato" Carestini and french dancer Marie Sallé
November 27, 1734 - London - Performance of "Arianna in Creta" at the Covent Garden
December 18, 1734 - London - Premiere of "Oreste" at the Covent Garden Theatre, with "castrato" Carestini and the presence of the King and Queen
December 19, 1734 - London - Händel receives the Royal bounty
January 8, 1735 - London - Premiere of "Ariodante" at the Covent Garden Theatre, with "castrato" Carestini"
March 5, 1735 - London - Revival of "Esther" and first performance of the "Organ Concertos Op 4 No 2 (HWV 290) and Op 4 No 3 (HWV 291) at the Covent Garden"
March 26, 1735 - London - Revival of "Deborah" (without Carestini) and first performance of the "Organ Concerto, Op 4 No 5 (HWV 293)" at the Covent Garden
April 1, 1735 - London - Performance of "Athalia" at the Covent Garden, with "castrato" Carestini
April 16, 1735 - London - Premiere of "Alcina" at the Covent Garden Theatre, with "castrato" Carestini - Händel's last operatic success in London
July 28, 1735 - London - Letter to Charles Jennens, thanking him for the libretto to an oratorio (probably "Saul") and notes that he will soon depart for Turnbridge Wells
November 25, 1735 - London - Händel attends a performance of Veracini's "Adriano in Siria". Lord Hervery writes that "Handel sat in great emminence and great pride in the middle pit, and seemed in silent triumph to insult this poor dying Opera in its agonies."
February 19, 1736 - London - Premiere of "Alexander's Feast" and "Organ Concerto in G minor" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 24, 1736 - London - Revival of "Acis and Galatea" at the Covent Garden
April 7, 1736 - London - Performance of "Esther" at the Covent Garden
April 14, 1736 - London - Performance of "Esther" at the Covent Garden
April 27, 1736 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of the Anthem "Sing unto God" for the wedding of Frederick, Prince of Wales, and Princess Augusta of Saxe-Coburg
May 5, 1736 - London - Revival of "Ariodante" at the Covent Garden. London debut of the "soprano-castrato" Gizziello (Gioacchino Conti)
May 12, 1736 - London - Premiere of "Atalanta" at the Covent Garden Theatre, with the King and Queen in the audience
November 6, 1736 - London - Revival of "Alcina" at the Covent Garden
November 20, 1736 - London - Revival of "Atalanta" at the Covent Garden
November 27, 1736 - London - Revival of "Atalanta" at the Covent Garden
December 8, 1736 - London - Performance of "Poro, re dell'Indie" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket (without Senesino)
January 12, 1737 - London - Premiere of "Arminio" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 12, 1737 - London - Last of the five performances of "Arminio"
February 16, 1737 - London - Premiere of "Giustino" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 28, 1737 - London - Performance of the song "I like the am'rous Youth that's free" at the Drury Lane Theatre
February 29, 1737 - London - Revival of "Partenope" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 2, 1737 - London - Begins extensive revision of his first Italian oratorio and renames it "Il trionfo del Tempo e della Verità" (HWV 46b)
March 9, 1737 - London - Revival of "Parnasso in Festa" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 11, 1737 - London - Revival of "Parnasso in Festa" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 16, 1737 - London - Revival of "Alexander's Feast" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 23, 1737 - London - Premiere of a revised and expanded "Il Trionfo del Tempo e della Verità" HWV46b
April 6, 1737 - London - Revival of "Esther" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 7, 1737 - London - Revival of "Esther" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 13, 1737 - London - Händel has a stroke, in an Opera season with exceptionally heavy workload. The attack of "rheumatism" causes him paralysis of the right arm temporarily
April 30, 1737 - London - Daily Post: "Mr.Handel who has been some time indisposed with the rheumatism, is in […] way of recovery"
May 14, 1737 - London - London Evening Post - "The ingenious Mr. Handel is very much indispos'd, and it's thought with a Pareletick Disorder, he having at present no Use of his Right Hand, which, if he don't regain, the Publick will be depriv'd of his fine Compositions"
May 18, 1737 - London - Premiere of "Berenice" at the Covent Garden Theatre, with the Royal family in the audience - unsucessful, with Händel absent from the orchestra pit due to performing difficulties
May 21, 1737 - London - Second performance of "Berenice", with Händel absent from the orchestra pit, unable to perform
May 25, 1737 - London - Third performance of "Berenice", with Händel absent from the orchestra pit, unable to perform
June 10, 1737 - London - Revival of "Alcina" at the Covent Garden, (with Händel probably absent from the orchestra pit, unable to perform)
June 13, 1737 - London - Daily Advertiser: "We hear that the Managers of the Opera in the Hay-Market have contractedwith Signior Caffaral [sic], a famous Singer at Rome, who was brought up with Signior Farinello,to sing in our Operas here the next Winter, and that Mr. Handel is to compose the Musick"
June 15, 1737 - London - Fourth performance of "Berenice", (with Händel probably absent from the orchestra pit, unable to perform)
June 21, 1737 - London - Revival of "Alcina" at the Covent Garden (with Händel probably absent from the orchestra pit, unable to perform)
June 25, 1737 - London - Performance of "Alexander's Feast" at the Covent Garden Theatre (with Händel probably absent from the orchestra pit, unable to perform)
August 3, 1737 - Bath - Händel travels to Bath, accompanied by John Christopher Smith, the elder
August 15, 1737 - Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Daily Advertiser: "Tis with the greatest Pleasure we can assure the Publick, that the Report which was spread concerning Mr. Handel’s being seiz’d with a dead Palsy on one Side,is altogether groundless, that Gentleman being now at Tunbridge in good Health"
September 5(?), 1737 - Aachen/Aix-la-Chapelle - Händel travels to Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) for 6 weeks, taking the sulphur baths to cure his paralysis, accompanied by the John Christopher Smith, the elder. The decision is kept away from the press
September 26, 1737 - (while in) Aachen - Daily Advertiser: "We hear that the King’s Theatre in the Hay-Market will be open’d witha new Opera of Mr. Handel’s composing, on Tuesday the 25th of October next, but without Signior Farinello, who has engag’d himself to stay in Spain this Winter"
October 28, 1737 - London - The "Daily Advertiser" reports Händel's return from Aachen/Aix-la-Chapelle
October 29, 1737 - London - George II and Händel attend a stellar debut performance of Caffarelli at the Premiere of "Arsaces" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
November 7, 1737 - London - Daily Post: "Mr.Handel is back from Aix-la-Chapelle, greatly recovered in his health"
December 17, 1737 - Westminster Abbey, London - Performance of the "Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline" at the Queen's funeral - 80 voices and 100 musicians
January 3, 1738 - London - Premiere of "Faramondo" at the King's Theatre, with "castrato" Caffarelli
February 25, 1738 - London - Premiere of "Alessandro Severo" at the King's Theatre, with "castrato" Caffarelli
March 28, 1738 - London - Performance of an Oratorio and the Anthem "As pants the hart" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, for Händel's own benefit. He "he got this night £1000"
April 15, 1738 - London - Premiere of "Serse (Xerxes)" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, with "castrato" Caffarelli
April 18, 1738 - London - London Daily Post: "We are informed from very good authority; that there is now finished a Statue of the justly celebrated Mr. Handel, exquisitly done by the ingenious Mr. Raubilliac ... which is to be placed in a grand Nich, erected on purpose in the great Grove at Vaux-Hall-Gardens, at the sole Expence of Mr. Tyers, Undertaker of the Entertainment there; who in Consideration of the real merit of the inimitable Master, thought it proper, that his Effigies should preside there, where his Harmony has so often charm'd even the greatest Crouds into the profoundest Calm and most decent behaviour; it is believed that the Expence of the Statue and Niche cannot cost less than Three hundred pounds."
April 23, 1738 - Crown & Anchor Tavern, London - First meeting of the subscribers to the "Fund for the Support of Decayed Musicians" (now the Royal Society of Musicians; formed when the widow and children of GFH's oboe soloist John Kitch are found impoverished on the streets of London); Handel is a founding subscriber -- including Boyce, Arne, Greene, and Pepusch
May 1, 1738 - Vauxhall Gardens, London - Statue of Händel by Louis François Roubiliac is inaugurated
September 9, 1738 - London - Händel is visited by Charles Jennens who makes various suggestions for revising Saul (HWV 53) after finding Händel full of "maggots" (improbable ideas) for the production of the oratorio
September 19, 1738 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to his young relative Lord Guernsey: "Mr. Handel's head is more full of Maggots than ever: I found yesterday in his room a very queer Instrument, which He calls Carillon (Angelice a Bell), & says some call it a Tubalcain, I suppose because it is both in the make & tone like a set of Hammers striking upon Anvils. 'Tis play'd upon with Keys like a Harpsichord, & with this Cyclopean Instrument he designs to make poor Saul stark mad. His second Maggot is an Organ of 500£ price, which (because he is overstock'd with Money) he has bespoke of one Moss of Barnet: this Organ, he says, is so contriv'd, that as he sits at it, he has a better command of his Performers than he used to have; & he is highly delighted to think with what exactness his Oratorio will be perform'd by the help of this Organ: so that for the future, instead of beating time at his Oratorio's, he is to sit at the Organ all the time with his back to the Audience. His third Maggot is a Hallelujah which he has trump'd up at the end of his Oratorio since I went into the Country, because he thought the conclusion of the Oratorio not Grand enough; tho' if that were the case 'twas his own fault, for the words would have bore as Grand Musick as he could have set 'em to: but this Hallelujah, Grand as it is, comes in very nonsensically, having no manner of relation to what goes before. And this is more the extraordinary, because he refus'd to set a Hallelujah at the end of the first Chorus in the Oratorio, where I plac'd one & where it was to be introduc'd with the utmost proprietary, upon a pretence that it would make the Entertainment too long. I could tell you more of his Maggots: but it grows late & I must defer the rest till I write next; by which time, I doubt not, more new ones will breed in his Brain."
September 27, 1738 - London - Completes final score of Saul (HWV 53); some of Charles Jennen's suggestions are included
October 1, 1738 - London - Händel starts writing "Israel in Egypt"
October 4, 1738 - London - The Opus 4 Organ concertos (HWV289-294) are published by John Walsh
November 1, 1738 - London - Work on "Israel in Egypt" is completed
January 16, 1739 - London - Premiere of "Saul" at the King's Theatre, with a carillon in the orchestra - George II in the audience - A success!
January 22, 1739 - London - Performance of "Saul" at the King's Theatre
February 17, 1739 - London - Revival of "Alexander's Feast" at the King's Theatre
March 3, 1739 - London - Revival of "Il Trionfo del Tempo e della Verità" at the King's Theatre
March 20, 1739 - London - First performance of the "Organ Concerto in A major", togheter with "Alexander's Feast"
April 4, 1739 - London - Premiere of "Israel in Egypt" and "Organ Concerto in F major" (Cuckoo and the Nightingale) at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
April 7, 1739 - London - Performance of "Israel in Egypt" at the King's Theatre
May 1, 1739 - London - Premiere of "Giove in Argo" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
May 5, 1739 - London - Performance of "Giove in Argo" at the King's Theatre
November 22, 1739 - London - Premiere of "Ode for St.Cecilia's Day" at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre
January 14, 1740 - London - "Love's but the frailty of the Mind", a song by Händel, is sung by Mrs.Kitty Clive at her benefit performance of William Congreve's "The Way of the World" (Act III)
February 6, 1740 - London - Performance of Acis and Galatea (HWV 49b) is postponed due to severe frost in London
February 27, 1740 - London - Premiere of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato" and "organ concerto in B-flat Major (HWV306)" at the Lincoln's Inn Fields
March 21, 1740 - London - Revival of "Saul" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
March 26, 1740 - London - Revival of "Esther" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
March 28, 1740 - London - "Acis and Galatea" is performed with the "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" for the benefit of the Fund for the Support of Decay'd Musicians
April 1, 1740 - London - Revival of "Israel in Egypt" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
April 21, 1740 - London - The twelve Op.6 Concerti Grossi are published
May 8, 1740 - St.James's Palace, London - Anthem performed at the wedding of Princess Mary
May 9, 1740 - Brook Street, London - Charles Jennens and Thomas Harris have dinner at Händel's house
May 16, 1740 - London - Händel and Thomas Harris have dinner at Jennens's house. Händel "was in good spirits" and "played finely on the piano-forte" that Jennens had imported from Florence in 1732, probably the first such instrument in Britain
July 15(?), 1740 - London - Händel departs London for Germany
July 19, 1740 - London - "Mr Handel set out for Germany on Thursday last in company with Goupée"
September 9, 1740 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Plays the famous church organ built by Christian Mueller in 1735-36. [de Grote of St. Bavo, Haarlem]
September 21, 1740 - Haarlem - Passing through Haarlem
September 25(?), 1740 - Berlin - According to some sources, Händel made a "very speedy" trip to Berlin (and return to London) to examine the proposal that the King of Prussia made him to move there, but Händel could no longer adapt to germanic austerity
October 5(?), 1740 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London
November 22, 1740 - London - Premiere of "Imeneo" at the Lincoln's Inn Fields
December 13, 1740 - London - Performance of "Imeneo" at the Lincoln's Inn Fields
January 10, 1741 - London - Premiere of "Deidamia" at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre - Händel's last italian opera, at a time when the public was getting tired of the genre
January 31, 1741 - London - Revival of "L'allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
February 10, 1741 - London - Performance of "Deidamia" at the Little Theatre, Haymarket - Last time Händel directs italian opera
February 28, 1741 - London - Revival of "Acis and Galatea" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
March 18, 1741 - London - Revival of "Saul" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
April 4, 1741 - London - London Daily Post: Rumors that Händel plans to leave England - appeals for support of Händel
April 8, 1741 - London - Performance of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato" at the Lincoln Inn Fields
July 10, 1741 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to his friend Edward Holdsworth - "I hope [Handel] will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excell all his former Compositions, as the Subject excells every other subject. The Subject is Messiah"
July 18, 1741 - London - Cuper's Gardens, Lambeth, London - Performance of the "Celebrated Fire Musick" of "Atalanta"
August 1(?), 1741 - London - Händel is invited by William Cavendish, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to visit Dublin
August 22, 1741 - London - Händel begins work on "Messiah"
September 6, 1741 - London - Händel gets emotional as he finishes the "Hallelujah Chorus" of Messiah
September 14, 1741 - London - Händel finishes "Messiah" in only 24 days!!!
October 29, 1741 - London - Händel finishes work on "Samson"
October 31, 1741 - London - Händel attends a performance of "Alessandro in Persia" at the King's Theatre
November 5(?), 1741 - London - Händel departs London for Dublin, via Chester
November 10(?), 1741 - Dublin - Händel arrives in Dublin
December 2, 1741 - (while in) Dublin - Letter from Charles Jennens to his friend Edward Holdsworth - " it was some mortification to me to hear that instead of performing Messiah here he has gone into Ireland with it"
December 10, 1741 - Dublin - Benefit Concert for Mercer's Hospital. Händel plays the organ, with Thomas Arne in the audience
December 23, 1741 - Dublin - Performance of two Concerti Grossi at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
December 29, 1741 - Dublin - Letter to Charles Jennens, thanking him for his work on "Messiah" and informing him of the success the Oratorio had in Dublin
January 20, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of "Acis and Galatea" and "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
February 3, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of "Esther" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
February 17, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of "Alexander's Feast" at the Music hall, Fishamble Street
March 17, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of "L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
March 24, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of a revised version of "Imeneo" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
March 31, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of a revised version of "Imeneo" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
April 7, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of "Esther" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
April 9, 1742 - Dublin - Rehearsals of "Messiah" open to the public
April 13, 1742 - Dublin - Premiere of "Messiah" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street - The public and the press are ecstatic
May 25, 1742 - Dublin - Performance of "Saul" at the Music Hall, Fishamble Street
June 3, 1742 - Dublin - Second presentation of "Messiah" in Ireland
August 13, 1742 - Dublin - Händel departs Dublin for Chester, England
August 14(?), 1742 - Chester - Arrives in Chester
September 9, 1742 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to Brook Street in London
January 17, 1743 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to Edward Holdsworth, about Händel: "His Messiah has disappointed me, being set in great hast, tho' he said he would be a year about it, & make it the best of all his Compositions. I shall put no more Sacred Works into his hands, to be thus abus'd."
February 5, 1743 - London - First performance of the "Organ Concerto in A major" at Covent Garden Theatre
February 18, 1743 - London - Premiere of "Samson" at the Covent Garden Theatre - great Success!
February 21, 1743 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to Edward Holdsworth, about Händel: "As to the Messiah, 'tis still in his power by retouching the weak parts to make it fit for a publick performance; & I have said a great deal to him on the Subject; but he is so lazy and so obstinate, the I much doubt the Effect."
March 18, 1743 - London - Revival of "Ode for St.Cecilia's Day" and "L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 23, 1743 - London - Händel introduces "Messiah" in Britain at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 31, 1743 - London - Performance of "Samson" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 11, 1743 - London - "Mr. Händel, who has been dangerously ill, is now recover'd"
April 29, 1743 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to Edward Holdsworth: "Handel has a return of his Paralytic Disorder, which affects his Head & Speech."
May 4, 1743 - London - Letter from Horace Walpole to Horace Mann: "We are likely at last to have no Opera next year - Handel has a palsy, and can't compose"
July 17, 1743 - London - Händel starts "Dettingen Te Deum" to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Dettingen
September 15, 1743 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to Edward Holdsworth, about Händel: "I don't yet despair of making him retouch the Messiah, at least he shall suffer for his negligence; nay I am inform'd that he has suffer'd, for he told Ld Guernsey, that a letter I wrote him about it contributed to the bringing of his last illness upon him; & it is reported that being a little delirious with a Fever, he said he should be damn'd for preferring Dagon (a Gentlemen he was very complaisant to in the Oratorio of Samson) before the Messiah. This shews that I gall'd him: but I have not done with him yet."
November 27, 1743 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of "Dettingen Te Deum" in the Royal Chapel of St.Jame's Palace, in the presence of King George II
February 10, 1744 - London - Premiere of "Semele" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 24, 1744 - London - Revival of "Samson" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 2, 1744 - London - Premiere of "Joseph and his Brethren" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 16, 1744 - London - Revival of "Saul" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 21, 1744 - London - Revival of "Saul" at the Covent Garden Theatre
May 7, 1744 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to Edward Holdsworth: "Handel has promis'd to revise the Oratorio of Messiah, & He & I are very good Friends again. The reason is he has lately lost his Poet Miller, & wants to set me at work for him again."
June 6, 1744 - London - Händel closes deal to return to King's Theatre, Haymarket
July 19, 1744 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London from "the country"
November 3, 1744 - London - Revival of "Deborah" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
December 1, 1744 - London - Revival of "Semele" at the Kings's Theatre, Haymarket
December 8, 1744 - London - Revival of "Semele" at the Kings's Theatre, Haymarket
January 5, 1745 - London - Premiere of "Hercules" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
January 12, 1745 - London - Second performance of "Hercules", with Susanna Cibber
March 1, 1745 - London - Revival of "Samson" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
March 13, 1745 - London - Revival of "Saul" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
March 15, 1745 - London - Revival of "Joseph and his Brethren" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
March 27, 1745 - London - Premiere of "Belshazzar" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
April 9, 1745 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the King's Theatre, Haymarket
April 11, 1745 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
June 9, 1745 - Exton - Private performance of the Masque "Comus"
June 13, 1745 - Scarborough, North Yorkshire - Händel leaves Exton for the Spas of Scarborough, North Yorkshire
June 30(?), 1745 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London
August 30, 1745 - London - Letter from Charles Jennens to his friend Edward Holdsworth - "[Handel] has made a fine Entertainment of it, though not near so good as he might & ought to have done. I have with great difficulty made him correct some of the grosser faults in the composition ..."
October 24, 1745 - London - Letter from Lord Shaftesbury to James Harris: "Poor Handel looks something better. I hope he will entirely recover in due time, though he has been a good deal disordered in his head."
November 14, 1745 - London - Performance of the song "Stand ground, my brave boys or Song made for the Gentlemen volunteers of the City of London" at the Drury Lane Theatre
February 14, 1746 - London - Premiere of "An Occasional Oratorio" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 26, 1746 - London - Performance of "An occasional Oratorio" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 25, 1746 - London - Händel attends a "decay'd musicians" benefit concert with performance of his music aswell as Gluck's
May 15, 1746 - London - Vauxhall Gardens, London - Performance of the song "From scourging rebellion or A Song on the Victory obtained over the rebels by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland"
March 6, 1747 - London - Performance of "An occasional Oratorio" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 20, 1747 - London - Revival of "Joseph and his Brethren" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 1, 1747 - London - Premiere of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre. The oratorio was devised as a compliment to the victorious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland upon his return from the Battle of Culloden. The "Concerto a due cori in F major, nº3(HWV334) is also premiered
April 15, 1747 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 26, 1748 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 9, 1748 - London - Premiere of "Joshua" and "Concerto grosso in B-flat Major nº1(HWV332)" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 1, 1748 - London - First performance of the "Concerto Grosso in F major nº3" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 7, 1748 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 10, 1749 - London - Premiere of "Susanna" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 3, 1749 - London - Performance of "Samson" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 17, 1749 - London - Premiere of "Solomon" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 23, 1749 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 28, 1749 - London - The Duke of Montague (Master General of the Ordnance) writes irritably to Charles Frederick ("Comptroller of his Majesty's Fireworks as well as for War as for Triumph"): "I think Hendel now proposes to have but 12 trumpets and 12 French horns; at first there was to have been sixteen of each, and I remember I told the King so, who, at that time, objected to their being any musick; but, when I told him the quantity and nomber of martial musick there was to be, he was better satisfied, and said he hoped there would be no fidles. Now Hendel proposes to lessen the nomber of trumpets &c. and to have violeens. I don't at all doubt but when the King hears it he will be very much displeased..."
April 9, 1749 - London - Händel compromises on the scoring: 9 trumpets, 9 horns, 24 oboes, 12 bassoons, a contra-bassoon (later deleted), and 3 kettle-drums, with strings indicated to double the oboes and bassoons.
April 17, 1749 - Brook Street, London - "Music for the Royal Fireworks" is rehearsed at Händel's house
April 21, 1749 - Vauxhall Gardens, London - Full rehearsal of "Music for the Royal Fireworks" - over 12,000 people, each paying 2/6 (that is, two Shillings and six pence) rushed for it, causing a three-hour traffic jam of carriages on the London Bridge, the only route to the area south of the river
April 25, 1749 - St.James's Palace, London - Performance of the Anthem "How beautiful are the feet", to celebrate the victory of the combined Austrian and British armies over the french at Dettingen
April 27, 1749 - Green Park, London - Premiere of "Music for the Royal Fireworks" at Green Park
May 1, 1749 - Ranelagh Garden Gardens, London - Händel might have been present at Ranelagh Gardens, when Elizabeth Chudleigh , later known as either the Countess of Bristol or the Duchess of Kingston (later charged of bigamy) turned up dressed, or rather undressed, as Iphigenia, daughter of Agamemnon, ready for the sacrifice. She was, an observer remarked, "so Naked" that "ye high Priest might easily inspect ye Entrails of ye Victim". A delighted George II in disguise was moved to request of Miss Chudleigh a touch of her exposed breasts; she replied that she knew an even softer place and guided his hand to the royal bald-patch
May 4, 1749 - Foundling Hospital, London - Händel attends the General Committee of the Foundling Hospital. Short performance of music to benefit the charity
May 15, 1749 - Whitehall - Performance of "Music for the Royal Fireworks" for the Duke of Richmond
May 27, 1749 - Foundling Hospital, London - Benefit Concert for the Foundling Hospital, with music from "Solomon", "Music for the Royal Fireworks" and the anthems "Blessed are they that considereth the poor", "Dettingen Anthem" and "Foundling Hospital Anthem". Attended by the Princes of Wales
August 19, 1749 - Bath - Händel traves to Bath
September 30, 1749 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London
January(?) 1(?), 1750 - Foundling Hospital, London - First annual charity performance of "Messiah" at London's Foundling Hospital
February 13, 1750 - London - Letter from Lord Shaftesbury to James Harris: "seen Handel several times...and think I never saw him so cool and well. He is quite easy in his behaviour, and has been pleasing himself in the purchase of several fine pictures, particularly a large Rembrandt, which is indeed excellent..." (The Rembrandt costed him about £8000)
March 2, 1750 - London - Performance of "Saul" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 9, 1750 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 16, 1750 - London - Premiere of "Theodora" at the Covent Garden Theatre - a failure at his time, with only 3 performances, and "Organ concerto in G minor Op.7 nº5(HWV310)"
April 12, 1750 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden, with the participation of the "castrato" Gaetano Guadagni on "Thou art gone up" and "But who may abide"
May 1, 1750 - Foundling Hospital, London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Foundling Hospital, to benefit charity
May 9, 1750 - Foundling Hospital, London - Händel is elected Governor of the Foundling Hospital, in gratitude for his donations
May 15, 1750 - Foundling Hospital, London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Foundling Hospital, to benefit charity
June 1, 1750 - London - Händel starts writing his last will and testament
August 11, 1750 - London - Händel departs to Germany
August 18(?), 1750 - Between The Hague and Haarlem - Händel is hurt in a coach accident on his way to Germany
August 21, 1750 - (while) Between The Hague and Haarlem - The "General Advertiser" announces that Händel was out of danger
August 27, 1750 - Haarlem - Händel visits Haarlem
September 10, 1750 - Deventer - Händel plays the Organ for the Princes of Orange
September 20, 1750 - Haarlem - Händel plays the Organ
December 2, 1750 - The Hague - Händel plays the Organ for the Princes of Orange
December 7, 1750 - The Hague - Händel plays the Organ for the Princes of Orange
December 14, 1750 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London
December 25, 1750 - London - Letter to Telemann - Händel writes that he was about to travel from the Hague to London when Telemann's letter was delivered to him. Knowing of Telemann's passion for exotic plants, Händel sends him a case of "choice flowers…of charming rarity"
February 13, 1751 - London - While working on "Jephtah", Händel's eyesight declines so rapidly that he stops working for 10 days. In the autograph score, at the end of the chorus "How dark, O Lord, are thy decrees" he wrote "Reached here on 13 February 1751, unable to go on owing to weakening of the sight of my left eye.
February 23, 1751 - London - Händel recovers and starts writing the Chorus of "Jephtah"
March 1, 1751 - London - Premiere of "The Choice of Hercules" and "Organ Concerto in B-flat Major op.7 nº3(HWV308)" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 13, 1751 - London - Letter from the Countess of Shaftesbury to James Harris: "…I went last Friday to 'Alexander's Feast', but it was such a melancholy pleasure, as drew tears of sorrow to see the great though unhappy Handel, dejected, wan, and dark, sitting by, not playing the harpsichord"
March 14, 1751 - London - Sir Edward Turner: "Noble Handel hath lost an eye, but I have the Rapture to say that St Cecilia makes no complaint of any defect in his Fingers".
March 15, 1751 - London - Performance of "Esther" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 20, 1751 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 18, 1751 - Foundling Hospital, London - Performance of "Messiah" to benefit charity. Händel plays the organ
May 16, 1751 - Foundling Hospital, London - Performance of "Messiah" to benefit charity. Händel plays the organ
June 3, 1751 - Bath | Cheltenham - Händel travels to Bath, then to the spa at Cheltenham
June 13, 1751 - Brook Street, London - Händel returns to London
July(?) 1(?), 1751 - Guy's Hospital, London - Händel seeks advice of Dr.Samuel Sharp. When the famous oculist examines Händel, he finds the left eye blind and the right eye nearly blind. He tells him that an operation would be contraindicated and his diagnosis was "gutta serena"
August 30, 1751 - London - Despite his eye problems, Händel finishes "Jephtah". The score is written by Smith
February 14, 1752 - London - Performance of "Joshua" at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 26, 1752 - London - Premiere of "Jephtah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 6, 1752 - London - Performance of "Samson" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 18, 1752 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 26, 1752 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 9, 1752 - Foundling Hospital, London - Performance of "Messiah" to benefit charity.
August 17, 1752 - London - General Advertiser: "We hear that George Friderick Handel, the celebrated Composer of Musick was seized a few days ago with a paralytic Disorder in his Head, which has deprived him from sight"
November 3, 1752 - London - General Advertiser: "Yesterday, George Frederick Handel, Esq; was couch’d (operation to treat cataracts) by William Bromfield, Esq; Surgeon to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, when it was thought there was all imaginable Hopes of Success by the Operation, which must give the greatest Pleasure to all Lovers of Musick"
January 23, 1753 - (while in) London - Cambridge Chronicle: "Mr.Handel has so much recovered his sight that he is able to go abroad"
January 27, 1753 - London - London Evening Post - "Mr. Handel has at length, unhappily, quite lost his sight."
March 9, 1753 - London - Lady Shaftesbury - "it was such a melancholy pleasure, as drew tears of sorrow, to see the great though unhappy Handel, dejected, wan and dark, sitting by, not playing on the harpsichord, and to think how his light had been spent by being overplied in music's cause. I was sorry to find the audience so insipid and tasteless (I may add unkind) not to give the poor man the comfort of applause; but affectation and conceit cannot discern or attend to merit."
March 16, 1753 - London - Performance of "Jephtah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 23, 1753 - London - Performance of "Judas Maccabaeus" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 13, 1753 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
May 1, 1753 - Foundling Hospital, London - Händel plays an organ concerto - his last public performance! - and "Messiah" is performed to benefit charity
May 3, 1753 - London - Malicious rumors that Händal was writing an anthem for his own funeral circulate in the City and even on a London newspaper
March 1, 1754 - London - Performance of "Alexander Balus" at the Covent Garden
March 8, 1754 - London - Performance of "Deborah" at the Covent Garden
March 12, 1754 - London - At the King's Theatre, an altered version of "Admeto, re di Tessaglia" is performed by Francesco Vanneschi's opera company
March 17, 1754 - London - Performance of "Saul" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 22, 1754 - London - Performance of "Joshua" at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 29, 1754 - London - Performance of "Samson" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 5, 1754 - London - Performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 6, 1754 - London - At the King's Theatre, an altered version of "Admeto, re di Tessaglia" is performed. (it is the last opera by Händel to be performed until the 20th Century)
May 15, 1754 - Foundling Hospital, London - Händel directs a performance of "Messiah" for the last time, to benefit charity
May 23, 1754 - London - Performance of "Ode for St.Cecilia's Day" and "L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato" at the Covent Garden Theatre
June 25, 1754 - Foundling Hospital, London - John Christopher Smith replaces Händel (with his approval) as organist of the Foundling Hospital Chapel
September 20, 1754 - London - Dictates Letter to Telemann - Händel reports that he got news of Telemann's death, but states his joy when he heard the news was false. He tells Telemann that he obtained almost all the exotic plants he listed for Händel to procure, and that he would ship them "by the first boat which leaves here"
January(?) 1(?), 1755 - Foundling Hospital, London - Händel is forced to turn over the direction of the annual charity performance of "Messiah" at London's Foundling Hospital to his pupil, J.C.Smith
February 14, 1755 - London - "Alexander's Feast" and "The Choice of Hercules" are performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 21, 1755 - London - "L'Allegro, il Penseroso, ed il Moderato" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 26, 1755 - London - "Samson" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 28, 1755 - London - "Joseph and his Brethren" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 5, 1755 - London - "Theodora" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 12, 1755 - London - "Judas Maccabaeus" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 19, 1755 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 21, 1755 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
May 1, 1755 - Foundling Hospital, London - "Messiah" is performed, to benefit charity
March 5, 1756 - London - "Athalia" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 17, 1756 - London - "Israel in Egypt" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 19, 1756 - London - "Deborah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 26, 1756 - London - "Judas Maccabaeus" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 2, 1756 - London - "Jephtah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 9, 1756 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
May 19, 1756 - Foundling Hospital, London - "Messiah" is performed to benefit charity
August 6, 1756 - London - Adds Thomas Morrell and Newburgh Hamilton to his Will. In addition, he increases John Christopher Smith's (the elder) bequest by £1500
January(?) 1(?), 1757 - Foundling Hospital, London - Händel resumes his duties directing the annual charity performance of "Messiah" at London's Foundling Hospital
February 25, 1757 - London - "Esther" is performed at the Covent Garden
March 7, 1757 - London - "Israel in Egypt" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 11, 1757 - London - Premiere of "The Triumph of Time and Truth" at the Covent Garden Theatre, an expanded and revised work (1707/1737) probably with little involvement of the aging and blind Händel. The libretto was reworked into english, probably by the composer's prolific last librettist, Thomas Morell, while John Christopher Smith Jr probably assembled the score
March 22, 1757 - Brook Street, London - Händel makes changes in his last will and testament
March 25, 1757 - London - "Judas Maccabaeus" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 30, 1757 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 1, 1757 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
May 5, 1757 - Foundling Hospital, London - "Messiah" is performed to benefit charity
August 4, 1757 - Brook Street, London - Händel makes changes in his last will and testament
December 31, 1757 - London - Letter from Lord Shaftesbury to James Harris: "(Händel is) pretty well and has just finished the composing of several new songs for his new singer" (Cassandra Frederick)
January(?) 1(?), 1758 - Brook Street, London - Händel corrects a note of music in the score of "Jephtah" with his handwriting, prooving that he could still see a little, if he looked very close
February 10, 1758 - London - "The Triumph of Time and Truth" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
February 22, 1758 - London - "Israel in Egypt" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 1, 1758 - London - "Jephtah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 3, 1758 - London - "Judas Maccabaeus" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 10, 1758 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 17, 1758 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 27, 1758 - Foundling Hospital, London - "Messiah" is performed to benefit charity
August 23, 1758 - Tunbridge Wells, Kent - Third eye operation by "Chevalier" John Taylor (London Chronicle 24-8-1758)
January 12, 1759 - London - A Smith-revised version of "Solomon" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 2, 1759 - London - "Susanna" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 9, 1759 - London - "Samson" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 14, 1759 - London - "Judas Maccabaeus" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
March 23, 1759 - London - "Messiah" is performed at the Covent Garden Theatre
April 6, 1759 - London - Händel is present at a performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden Theatre. Tries to travel to Bath but is unable to do it because of his condition
April 11, 1759 - Brook Street, London - Händel adds an addition to his testament in which he claims to wish to die on Friday of the passion, for "he wanted to meet the savior on the day of Resurrection". He bequeats £1000 to the Society for the Support of Decayed Musicians and £600 for a burial statue of him at the Westminster Abbey
April 13, 1759 - Brook Street, London - His friend James Smyth, after visiting Händel: "He took leave of all his friends on Friday morning, and desired to see nobody but the Doctor and Apothecary and myself. At 7 o'clock in the evening he took leave of me, and told me we "should meet again"; as soon as I was gone he told his servant 'not to let me come to him any more, for that he had now done with this world'. He died as he lived -- a good Christian, with true sense of his duty to God and man, and in perfect charity with all the world."
April 14, 1759 - Brook Street, London - Georg Friedrich Händel dies, aged 74 =(END)
(Information about Händel is widespread and available in many sources, books and libraries. For this timeline, 6 books were used and 2 libraries visited. For further quick details about Händel's life and work I recommend the awesome website "GFHandel.org" from where some extra bibliographic details were taken, in a far better english language than mine. - Please visit their website)
(Very long) Timeline in progress. Please come back in a few hours...
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