The Cambridge Companion to Handel [Paperback]

A Companion to one of the principal creative figures in Baroque music.Handel is recognised as one of the principal creative figures in Baroque music. In this Companion acknowledged experts on Handel make their expertise accessible to the interested general reader and music lover. All the genres in which Handel composed are considered including oratorio, chamber cantata, opera, and church music, as well as works for the keyboard and orchestra.The wide-ranging essays cover topics from Handel's composing methods to his treatment of the Italian language and matters of performance practice.Handel is recognised as one of the principal creative figures in Baroque music. In this Companion acknowledged experts on Handel make their expertise accessible to the interested general reader and music lover. All the genres in which Handel composed are considered including oratorio, chamber cantata, opera, and church music, as well as works for the keyboard and orchestra.The wide-ranging essays cover topics from Handel's composing methods to his treatment of the Italian language and matters of performance practice.Handel is recognized as one of the principal creative figures in Baroque music. In this Companion acknowledged experts on Handel make their expertise accessible to the interested general reader and music lover. All the genres in which Handel composed are considered including oratorio, chamber cantata, opera, and church music, as well as works for the keyboard and orchestra. The wide-ranging essays cover topics from Handel's composing methods to his treatment of the Italian language and matters of performance practice.List of plates; Notes on contributors; Preface; Chronology; Introduction Donald Burrows; Part I. Background: 1. Germany - education and apprenticeship John Butt; 2. Italy - political and musical contexts Carlo Vitali; 3. Handel's London - political, social and intellectual contexts William Weber; 4. Handel's London - the theatres Judith Milhous and Robert D. Hl£