The Worlds Great Men of Music | Page 9

but he took it, pretending not to be able to do anything
better. However a chance soon came his way to show what he was
capable of. One day the conductor, who always presided at the
harpsichord, was absent, and no one was there to take his place.
Without delay George came forward and took his vacant seat. He
conducted so ably, that he secured the position for himself.
The young musician led a busy life in Hamburg, filled with teaching,
study and composition. As his fame increased he secured more pupils,
and he was not only able to support himself, but could send some
money to his mother. He believed in saving money whenever he could;
he knew a man should not only be self supporting, but somewhat
independent, in order to produce works of art.
Handel now turned his attention to opera, composing "Almira, Queen
of Castile," which was produced in Hamburg early in January 1705.
This success encouraged him to write others; indeed he was the author
of forty operas, which are only remembered now by an occasional aria.
During these several years of hard work he had looked forward to a
journey to Italy, for study. He was now a composer of some note and
decided it was high time to carry out his cherished desire.
He remained some time in Florence and composed the opera
"Rodrigo," which was performed with great success. While in Venice

he brought out another opera, "Agrippina," which had even greater
success. Rome delighted him especially and he returned for a second
time in 1709. Here he composed his first oratorio, the "Resurrection,"
which was produced there. Handel returned to Germany the following
year. The Elector of Hanover was kind to him, and offered him the post
of Capellmeister, with a salary of about fifteen hundred dollars. He had
long desired to visit England, and the Elector gave him leave of
absence. First, however, he went to Halle to see his mother and his old
teacher. We can imagine the joy of the meeting, and how proud and
happy both were at the success of the young musician. After a little
time spent with his dear ones, he set out for England.
Handel came to London, preceded by the fame of his Italian success.
Italian opera was the vogue just then in the English capital, but it was
so badly produced that a man of Handel's genius was needed to
properly set it before the people. He had not been long on English soil
when he produced his opera "Rinaldo," at the Queen's Theater; it had
taken him just two weeks to compose the opera. It had great success
and ran night after night. There are many beautiful airs in "Rinaldo,"
some of which we hear to-day with the deepest pleasure. "Lascia ch'jo
pianga" and "Cara si's sposa" are two of them. The Londoners had
welcomed Handel with great cordiality and with his new opera he was
firmly established in their regard. With the young musician likewise
there seemed to be a sincere affection for England. He returned in due
time to his duties in Hanover, but he felt that London was the field for
his future activities.
It was not very long after his return to Germany that he sought another
leave of absence to visit England, promising to return within a
"reasonable time." London received him with open arms and many
great people showered favors upon him. Lord Burlington invited him to
his residence in Piccadilly, which at that time consisted of green fields.
The only return to be made for all this social and home luxury was that
he should conduct the Earl's chamber concerts. Handel devoted his
abundant leisure to composition, at which he worked with much ardor.
His fame was making great strides, and when the Peace of Utrecht was
signed and a Thanksgiving service was to be held in St. Paul's, he was
commissioned to compose a Te Deum and Jubilate. To show
appreciation for his work and in honor of the event, Queen Anne

awarded Handel a life pension of a thousand dollars.
The death of the Queen, not long after, brought the Elector of Hanover
to England, to succeed her as George I. It was not likely that King
George would look with favor on his former Capellmeister, who had so
long deserted his post. But an opportunity soon came to placate his
Majesty. A royal entertainment, with decorated barges on the Thames
was arranged. An orchestra was to furnish the music, and the Lord
Chamberlain commissioned Handel to compose music for the fête. He
wrote a series of pieces, since known as "Water Music." The king was
greatly delighted with the music, had it repeated, and learning that
Handel conducted in person, sent for