The Cambridge Handel Encyclopedia

George Frideric Handel was born and educated in Germany, flourished in Italy, and chose to become British. One of the most cosmopolitan of the great composers, much of Handel's music has remained in the popular repertory since his lifetime, and a broad variety of his music theatre works from Italian operas to English oratorios have experienced a dramatic renaissance since the late twentieth century. A large number of publications devoted to Handel's life and music have appeared from his own time to the present day, but The Cambridge Handel Encyclopedia gathers the full range of present knowledge and leading scholarship into a single volume for convenient and illuminating reference. Packed with well over 700 informative and accessible entries, both long and short, this book is ideal for performers, scholars, students and music lovers who wish to explore the Handelian world.

Preface; Foreword Christopher Hogwood; A-Z general entries; Appendix 1. Worklist; Appendix 2. Chronology; Appendix 3. Handel's family tree; Appendix 4. Handel iconography; Appendix 5. Genealogical table of the ruling houses of Britain and Hanover; Appendix 6. Handel's music on CD and DVD; Appendix 7. An overview of fifty Handel performers, 1959–2009; Appendix 8. Handel organizations and websites; Select bibliography.

Covering all aspects of Handel's life and work, this is an indispensable resource for all performers, scholars, students and music lovers who wish to explore the Handelian world. Packed with 700 informative entries, the book discusses Handel's influences and musical achievements, and his connections with people, places, politics and history.

Annette Landgraf is a member of the editorial office of the Hallische Händel-Ausgabe.
David Vickers is an independent lecturer, journalist, author and musicologist.