Explore Handel’s transformative Italian years and the remarkable works he composed during this formative period. NB: this course has no scheduled break week.
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This course examines George Frideric Handel’s formative sojourn in Italy between 1706 and 1709, a period in which he absorbed the brilliance, lyricism, and expressive flexibility of Italian vocal and instrumental style. Immersed in the vibrant musical cultures of Florence, Rome, and Venice, Handel developed a distinctive synthesis of Italian melody and German contrapuntal technique that would define his later career.
We will study his early operas, sacred works, and cantatas—some written for private circles and never published during his lifetime—and trace how these years established his reputation as Il caro Sassone (“the dear Saxon”). Through guided listening and contextual exploration, the course highlights how Italy shaped Handel’s musical language and dramatic imagination.
What will we cover?
• Handel’s earliest operas composed before, during and after his visits to Italy: Almira, Rodrigo, and Agrippina • Sacred music and oratorio in the Italian style: Dixit Dominus, Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno • Cantatas and their librettists: poetic themes, patrons, and performance contexts • Features of Italian instrumentation and orchestral writing c.1700 • Musical and cultural encounters during Handel’s travels in Florence, Rome, and Venice
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Appreciate the influence of Italian musical style around 1700 on Handel’s early compositions • Understand the chronology and cultural contexts of Handel’s Italian travels • Recognise how Handel later adapted Italian techniques to suit English tastes in his London career
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?) This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music. • If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our exploring classical music courses which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. - Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. - You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after each session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes 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-italy3034555Handel in Italyhttps://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 transformative Italian years and the remarkable works he composed during this formative period. <strong>NB: this course has no scheduled break week.</strong></p>003034411Handel in Italy299299https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-11T00:00:00+00:00Some experience, AdvancedJan 2027Performing artsMD815299299Handel in Italy239209299Edward Breenhandel-in-italy/md815-2627<p>Explore Handel’s transformative Italian years and the remarkable works he composed during this formative period. <strong>NB: this course has no scheduled break week.</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-01-11 00:00:00<p>This course examines George Frideric Handel’s formative sojourn in Italy between 1706 and 1709, a period in which he absorbed the brilliance, lyricism, and expressive flexibility of Italian vocal and instrumental style. Immersed in the vibrant musical cultures of Florence, Rome, and Venice, Handel developed a distinctive synthesis of Italian melody and German contrapuntal technique that would define his later career. </p><p>We will study his early operas, sacred works, and cantatas—some written for private circles and never published during his lifetime—and trace how these years established his reputation as <em>Il caro Sassone</em> (“the dear Saxon”). Through guided listening and contextual exploration, the course highlights how Italy shaped Handel’s musical language and dramatic imagination.<br/> </p><p>Explore Handel’s transformative Italian years and the remarkable works he composed during this formative period. <strong>NB: this course has no scheduled break week.</strong></p><p>• Handel’s earliest operas composed before, during and after his visits to Italy: <em>Almira</em>, <em>Rodrigo</em>, and <em>Agrippina</em><br/>• Sacred music and oratorio in the Italian style: <em>Dixit Dominus</em>, <em>Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno</em><br/>• Cantatas and their librettists: poetic themes, patrons, and performance contexts<br/>• Features of Italian instrumentation and orchestral writing c.1700<br/>• Musical and cultural encounters during Handel’s travels in Florence, Rome, and Venice</p><p>• Appreciate the influence of Italian musical style around 1700 on Handel’s early compositions<br/>• Understand the chronology and cultural contexts of Handel’s Italian travels<br/>• Recognise how Handel later adapted Italian techniques to suit English tastes in his London career</p><p>The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)<br/>This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.<br/>• If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=exploring+classical+music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exploring classical music courses</a> which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br/>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br/>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.</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 after each session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" 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 historyvirtual239299209MD815NONEMon11/01/27 - 15/03/2713:15 - 15:1513:1515:1510 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward BreenSome experience, AdvancedAvailable courses2027-01-11T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2027Performing arts299299Handel in Italyhandel-in-italy/md815-2627<p>Explore Handel’s transformative Italian years and the remarkable works he composed during this formative period. <strong>NB: this course has no scheduled break week.</strong></p>0000-Available|2027-01-11 00:00:00<p>This course examines George Frideric Handel’s formative sojourn in Italy between 1706 and 1709, a period in which he absorbed the brilliance, lyricism, and expressive flexibility of Italian vocal and instrumental style. Immersed in the vibrant musical cultures of Florence, Rome, and Venice, Handel developed a distinctive synthesis of Italian melody and German contrapuntal technique that would define his later career. </p><p>We will study his early operas, sacred works, and cantatas—some written for private circles and never published during his lifetime—and trace how these years established his reputation as <em>Il caro Sassone</em> (“the dear Saxon”). Through guided listening and contextual exploration, the course highlights how Italy shaped Handel’s musical language and dramatic imagination.<br/> </p><p>Explore Handel’s transformative Italian years and the remarkable works he composed during this formative period. <strong>NB: this course has no scheduled break week.</strong></p><p>• Handel’s earliest operas composed before, during and after his visits to Italy: <em>Almira</em>, <em>Rodrigo</em>, and <em>Agrippina</em><br/>• Sacred music and oratorio in the Italian style: <em>Dixit Dominus</em>, <em>Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno</em><br/>• Cantatas and their librettists: poetic themes, patrons, and performance contexts<br/>• Features of Italian instrumentation and orchestral writing c.1700<br/>• Musical and cultural encounters during Handel’s travels in Florence, Rome, and Venice</p><p>• Appreciate the influence of Italian musical style around 1700 on Handel’s early compositions<br/>• Understand the chronology and cultural contexts of Handel’s Italian travels<br/>• Recognise how Handel later adapted Italian techniques to suit English tastes in his London career</p><p>The course is suitable for students at many levels, and no special music-reading skills are needed. However, a basic interest and beginners’ knowledge of classical music is advised for context: (e.g. What is a symphony? Which instruments are in a string quartet? And what do we mean by the Romantic tradition?)<br/>This course is most suitable for those who regularly listen to classical music, as they will be able to compare/contrast the works on this course with memories of famous pieces of western classical music.<br/>• If you identify as an absolute beginner with little or no previous experience of listening to western classical music, we recommend you first consider our <a href="https://www.citylit.ac.uk/searchcourse/?q=exploring+classical+music" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">exploring classical music courses</a> which will introduce you to a basic chronology of western classical music.</p><p>- Sessions will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. <br/>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br/>- You will be encouraged to do extra reading outside class.</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 after each session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" 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
