G.F. Handel: Text and Music Relationship in Zadoc The Priest

In 1710, George Fredrick Handel was appointed Kapellmeister to Georg Ludwig, the Elector of Saxony. Georg was very fond of the opera, although Hanover had no opera company. So, Handel took an immediate leave of absence from Hanover to London and was well received by Queen Anne. Over the next few years, Handel traveled back and forth between London and Hanover until he finally freed himself from his obligations in Germany. Ironically, upon Queen Anne’s …

…continue until m. 120 where the final alleluia is sung in a recitative style. The piece was a huge success. King George II was so impressed that he doubled Handel’s salary. Later, the king funded an opera court. Handel was also naturalized as an English citizen. Zadok the Priest is known as one of the four great Coronation Anthems. Its first performance was so profound that it has been played in every English coronation since 1727.