Handel had a low regard for flattery; he called his patron Cardinal Benedetto Pamphili "an old Fool" for flattering him by comparing him to Orpheus.
Historical Context
In Rome, where public opera performances were banned, Handel's skills as a composer and keyboard player attracted patrons who commissioned vocal works like oratorios, serenatas, and cantatas for private performances.
Performer Biography
Ann Murray, the featured singer, is described as a "diva" in its correct sense: a great or famous singer, from the Latin meaning "goddess."
Historical Context
Handel's four years in Italy (1706-1710) were crucial for his development, allowing him to gain fluency in Italian, work with virtuoso musicians, and absorb the styles of composers like Alessandro Scarlatti and Francesco Gasparini.
Performer Biography
Ann Murray has received several honors, including an Honorary Doctor of Music from the National University of Ireland in 1997 and being appointed an honorary Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2002.
Performer Biography
Ann Murray has established close links with English National Opera, Welsh National Opera, and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
Composition History
Handel wrote over a hundred cantatas for various patrons in Italy, gaining experience and producing music he often revisited for ideas in later compositions.
