Handel is recognized as one of the principal creative figures in Baroque music. Here acknowledged experts on Handel make their expertise accessible to the interested general reader and music lover. Their wide-ranging essays cover topics ranging from Handel's composing methods to his treatment of the Italian language to matters of performance practice, considering all the genres in which the composer worked. 45 music examples. 12 photos.

List of plates; Notes on contributors; Preface; Chronology; Introduction Donald Burrows; Part I. Background: 1. Germany - education and apprenticeship John Butt; 2. Italy - political and musical contexts Carlo Vitali; 3. Handel's London - political, social and intellectual contexts William Weber; 4. Handel's London - the theatres Judith Milhous and Robert D. Hume; 5. Handel's London - British musicians and London concert life H. Diack Johnstone; 6. Handel's London - Italian musicians and librettists Lowell Lindgren; 7. Handel's London - Handel's English librettists Ruth Smith; Part II. The Music: 8. Handel and the aria C. Steven LaRue; 9. Handel's compositional process David Ross Hurley; 10. Handel and the idea of an oratorio Anthony Hicks; 11. Handel's sacred music Graydon Beeks; 12. Handel's chamber music Malcolm Boyd; 13. Handel as a concerto composer Donald Burrows; 14. Handel and the keyboard Terence Best; Part III. The Music in Performance: 15. Handel and the Italian language Terence Best; 16. Handel and the orchestra Mark W. Stahura; 17. Production style in Handel's operas Winton Dean; 18. Handel's oratorio performances Donald Burrows; Bibliographical note; Notes; List of Handel's works; Index.