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This course explores George Frideric Handel’s 1741–1742 journey to Ireland—a turning point in his career, coming after more than two decades at the centre of London’s operatic world. During this period, Handel composed and presented works that bridged his operatic past and emerging focus on the English oratorio. We will consider his late operas, the creation and first performances of Messiah, the oratorio Samson, and contemporary keyboard pieces, all within their historical, musical, and social contexts. Through guided listening and contextual discussion, the course reveals how Handel’s Irish experiences helped shape the direction of his final creative decades.
What will we cover?
• Handel’s late operas following the dissolution of his opera academy, including Serse (Xerxes) and Deidamia • Biographical accounts of Handel’s Irish journey, drawing on primary and secondary sources • Handel’s Dublin performances, including an in‑depth, two‑week study of Messiah • A survey of the oratorio Samson • Settings of Handel’s music by other composers and works by Irish keyboard composers of the period • Handel’s return to London and the creation of Semele
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand key features of Handel’s operatic style and late operatic works • Recognise the changing circumstances of operatic performance in London in the 1730s and 1740s • Feel confident exploring Handel’s biography during the early 1740s • Access and navigate digital resources on Handel, including online scores and reference materials • Identify the distinctive musical characteristics of the works studied • Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the structure, themes, and musical language of Messiah
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for beginners but it is recommended that you already enjoy listening to Handel’s music. Note that we will look at music scores (both handwritten and printed) to identify key features of music notation, so this will be suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn although you are not expected to read music. We will also explore the writings of Handel’s contemporaries (letters, diaries, novels and newspaper publications).
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google classroom after each session.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
To find out more about music history classes please visit Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Edward teaches music history and theory at City lit. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque) and he completed a PhD in historical musicology at King's College London (2013) on the performance of medieval music. Outside of teaching, Edward is a regular contributor to Gramophone magazine and has lectured for Dartington International Summer School, London's Southbank Centre and The British Library. He has also worked as a researcher for BBC Proms and written for the journal Early Music (OUP). His essays are published in: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Historical Performance in Music, (Cambridge University Press); The Montpellier Codex: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music 16 (Boydell Press); Recomposing the Past: Representations of Early Music on Stage and Screen (Ashgate 2018); and 30-Second Classical Music (Ivy Press).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/handel-in-ireland155678Handel in Irelandhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpg299299GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history22851314135113631228513141351<p>Explore Handel’s pivotal 1741 visit to Ireland and the works that marked his shift from opera to oratorio. <strong>Break week: 03 Jun 2027</strong></p> This course considers the late operatic works of Handel, his most famous work Messiah, also the oratorio Samson and a selection of keyboard works in their historical and social contexts in order to deepen your understanding of his transition from opera-composer to oratorio. Tutor: <a href=" http://www.falsettist.com " target="_blank"> Dr Edward Breen </a> [external website].003034414Handel in Ireland299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-04-12T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceApr 2027Performing artsMD816299299Handel in Ireland239209299Edward Breenhandel-in-ireland/md816-2627<p>Explore Handel’s pivotal 1741 visit to Ireland and the works that marked his shift from opera to oratorio. <strong>Break week: 03 Jun 2027</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-04-12 00:00:00<p>This course explores George Frideric Handel’s 1741–1742 journey to Ireland—a turning point in his career, coming after more than two decades at the centre of London’s operatic world. During this period, Handel composed and presented works that bridged his operatic past and emerging focus on the English oratorio. We will consider his late operas, the creation and first performances of Messiah, the oratorio Samson, and contemporary keyboard pieces, all within their historical, musical, and social contexts. Through guided listening and contextual discussion, the course reveals how Handel’s Irish experiences helped shape the direction of his final creative decades.</p><p>Explore Handel’s pivotal 1741 visit to Ireland and the works that marked his shift from opera to oratorio. <strong>Break week: 03 Jun 2027</strong></p><p>• Handel’s late operas following the dissolution of his opera academy, including Serse (Xerxes) and Deidamia<br/>• Biographical accounts of Handel’s Irish journey, drawing on primary and secondary sources<br/>• Handel’s Dublin performances, including an in‑depth, two‑week study of Messiah<br/>• A survey of the oratorio Samson<br/>• Settings of Handel’s music by other composers and works by Irish keyboard composers of the period<br/>• Handel’s return to London and the creation of Semele<br/> </p><p>• Understand key features of Handel’s operatic style and late operatic works<br/>• Recognise the changing circumstances of operatic performance in London in the 1730s and 1740s<br/>• Feel confident exploring Handel’s biography during the early 1740s<br/>• Access and navigate digital resources on Handel, including online scores and reference materials<br/>• Identify the distinctive musical characteristics of the works studied<br/>• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the structure, themes, and musical language of Messiah<br/> </p><p>This course is suitable for beginners but it is recommended that you already enjoy listening to Handel’s music. Note that we will look at music scores (both handwritten and printed) to identify key features of music notation, so this will be suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn although you are not expected to read music. We will also explore the writings of Handel’s contemporaries (letters, diaries, novels and newspaper publications).</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google classroom after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>.MusicMusic historyvirtual239299209MD816NONEMon12/04/27 - 21/06/2713:15 - 15:1513:1515:1510 sessions (over 11 weeks)105-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward BreenSome experienceAvailable courses2027-04-12T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeApr 2027Performing arts299299Handel in Irelandhandel-in-ireland/md816-2627<p>Explore Handel’s pivotal 1741 visit to Ireland and the works that marked his shift from opera to oratorio. <strong>Break week: 03 Jun 2027</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-04-12 00:00:00<p>This course explores George Frideric Handel’s 1741–1742 journey to Ireland—a turning point in his career, coming after more than two decades at the centre of London’s operatic world. During this period, Handel composed and presented works that bridged his operatic past and emerging focus on the English oratorio. We will consider his late operas, the creation and first performances of Messiah, the oratorio Samson, and contemporary keyboard pieces, all within their historical, musical, and social contexts. Through guided listening and contextual discussion, the course reveals how Handel’s Irish experiences helped shape the direction of his final creative decades.</p><p>Explore Handel’s pivotal 1741 visit to Ireland and the works that marked his shift from opera to oratorio. <strong>Break week: 03 Jun 2027</strong></p><p>• Handel’s late operas following the dissolution of his opera academy, including Serse (Xerxes) and Deidamia<br/>• Biographical accounts of Handel’s Irish journey, drawing on primary and secondary sources<br/>• Handel’s Dublin performances, including an in‑depth, two‑week study of Messiah<br/>• A survey of the oratorio Samson<br/>• Settings of Handel’s music by other composers and works by Irish keyboard composers of the period<br/>• Handel’s return to London and the creation of Semele<br/> </p><p>• Understand key features of Handel’s operatic style and late operatic works<br/>• Recognise the changing circumstances of operatic performance in London in the 1730s and 1740s<br/>• Feel confident exploring Handel’s biography during the early 1740s<br/>• Access and navigate digital resources on Handel, including online scores and reference materials<br/>• Identify the distinctive musical characteristics of the works studied<br/>• Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the structure, themes, and musical language of Messiah<br/> </p><p>This course is suitable for beginners but it is recommended that you already enjoy listening to Handel’s music. Note that we will look at music scores (both handwritten and printed) to identify key features of music notation, so this will be suitable for those who are curious and ambitious to learn although you are not expected to read music. We will also explore the writings of Handel’s contemporaries (letters, diaries, novels and newspaper publications).</p><p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online in Google classroom after each session.</p><p>To find out more about music history classes please visit <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/blog/music-history-your-guide-our-programme" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>.MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
