Cambridge Library CoLLeCtion Books of enduring scholarly value Music The systematic academic study of music gave rise to works of description, analysis and criticism, by composers and performers, philosophers and anthropologists, historians and teachers, and by a new kind of scholar - the musicologist. This series makes available a range of significant works encompassing all aspects of the developing discipline. The Life of Handel Victor Schoelcher (1804–93) was a French writer chiefly remembered for his part in the fight for the abolition of slavery. In America on business in 1829–30, he was so appalled by the conditions he found that he became an abolitionist campaigner, concentrating his writings on conditions in the French Caribbean islands. He became president of the French commission for abolition and achieved his goal when in 1848 the French government abolished slavery in all its colonies. Schoelcher went into political exile for nearly twenty years after the coup d’etat of Louis Napoleon, and during this time he pursued his other great interest, music. His Life of Handel, translated into English by James Lowe, was published in 1857. It was regarded at the time as one of the finest biographies ever written, and it was ahead of its time in the extensive amount of research into primary sources which the author had undertaken. Cambridge University Press has long been a pioneer in the reissuing of out-of-print titles from its own backlist, producing digital reprints of books that are still sought after by scholars and students but could not be reprinted economically using traditional technology. The Cambridge Library Collection extends this activity to a wider range of books which are still of importance to researchers and professionals, either for the source material they contain, or as landmarks in the history of their academic discipline. Drawing from the world-renowned collections in the Cambridge University Library, and guided by the advice of experts in each subject area, Cambridge University Press is using state-of-the-art scanning machines in its own Printing House to capture the content of each book selected for inclusion. The files are processed to give a consistently clear, crisp image, and the books finished to the high quality standard for which the Press is recognised around the world. The latest print-on-demand technology ensures that the books will remain available indefinitely, and that orders for single or multiple copies can quickly be supplied. The Cambridge Library Collection will bring back to life books of enduring scholarly value (including out-of-copyright works originally issued by other publishers) across a wide range of disciplines in the humanities and social sciences and in science and technology. The Life of Handel Victor Schœlcher CAmbrIDgE UNIVErSIty PrESS Cambridge New york melbourne madrid Cape town Singapore São Paolo Delhi Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New york www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9781108004503 © in this compilation Cambridge University Press 2009 This edition first published 1857 This digitally printed version 2009 ISbN 978-1-108-00450-3 This book reproduces the text of the original edition. The content and language reflect the beliefs, practices and terminology of their time, and have not been updated. Cambridge University Press wishes to make clear that the reissue of out-of-copyright books not originally published by Cambridge does not imply any knowledge or advocacy of the reissue project on the part of the original publisher. THE L I FE OF H A N D E L. BY VICTOR SCHCELCHER. LONDON: TRUBNER AND CO., 57, PATERNOSTER ROW. MDCCCLTII. [The right of Translation is reserved by the Author.] THE following Work, having been originally written by me in French, has received its English dress from Mr. JAMES LOWE. As this gentleman and I have been in constant communication during its preparation for the press, I can testify to the perfect exactness with which his language renders my intention. VICTOR SCHCELCHER. bth April, 1857. ER11ATA. Page 14, line 1 of note, after "remained at Hamburg," add "four or five years." ,, 16, „ l,/o»-"Gio griia," read " Gik grida." ,, 19, „ 31, for "when even duets," read" when even scenic duets." „ 46, „ 3 and 5, for " que se replica," read " qui si replica." „ 94, „ Si, for "Esther offers," read" There are copies of Esther which offer." „ 96, „ 8, omit from " one would certainly" to " somewhere else." ,, 124, „ 5, for" viola marina," read "violetta marina." ., 156, at the head of the chapter,/or " 1734," read " 1733—1737." ,, 172, line 23, for "he took Covent Garden Theatre," read "he gave his per- formances twice a week at Covent Garden Theatre." ., 197, line 1 of note, for " Roubilliac," read "Roubiliac." „ 218, „ 23, for " which includes the Funeral Anthem for the first part, has personages and arbitrary divisions into scenes, which give it the appearance of a dramatic piece," read " which includes the ex- tracts from Solomon for the first part, has in this part the names of personages (High Priest, Joseph, Israelite woman, Israelite man), as if the composer wished to throw it into a dramatic form." „ 274, ,, 34,for "forty-three," read "forty-four." ,, 281, ,, 14, for " If it be excusable in a lady to marry twice," read " If it be excusable to marry twice." ,, 289, heading, for " MESSIAH, " read " BELSHAZZAB." ,, 319, last line of note, for " was introduced in the revival of Hereules in 1749," read " was introduced in some revival of Hereules." (It is added to Smith's copy of Hercules in the collection of the scores used by Handel.) „ 323, heading, for" Scene at the Foundling," read "Scene at a performance of Samson." „ 323, line 3, for " at the organ," read " near the organ." „ 383, „ 32, for " Grand Concerto," read " Grand Concertante."