Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne facts for kids
The Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne (also known as HWV 74) is a special song, or "cantata," written by the famous composer George Frideric Handel. It was created to celebrate the birthday of Queen Anne. The words for the song were written by Ambrose Philips.
The first line of the song, "Eternal source of light divine", is so well-known that people sometimes call the whole piece by that name. Handel likely wrote this music in January 1713, hoping it would be performed on Queen Anne's birthday, February 6, 1713. However, we don't have any records saying the performance actually happened.
Contents
About the Music
This cantata was written to celebrate Queen Anne's birthday and a big event called the Treaty of Utrecht. This treaty was a peace agreement made in 1712 that helped end a long war called the War of the Spanish Succession.
Handel's music for this ode uses three solo singers, a choir, and a small orchestra. Even though Queen Anne was said to be "too busy" to listen to music often, she still gave Handel a special payment of two hundred pounds a year for the rest of his life. This was a lot of money back then!
How the Ode is Built
This special song, or "ode," has seven parts, like different chapters in a story. Each part ends with the choir singing the same important words:
- The day that gave great Anna birth,
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on Earth.
Here's a look at each part:
- Part 1: Eternal source of light divine
* (A solo singer with a high voice, called an alto, sings with a solo trumpet and soft strings.) * This part asks for divine light to shine brightly and make the Queen's birthday even more special.
- (Alto solo, then chorus with orchestra)*
- The day that gave great Anna birth
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
- (Soprano solo, then chorus with orchestra)*
- Let all the winged race with joy
- Their wonted homage sweetly pay
- Whilst towr'ing in the azure sky
- They celebrate this happy day.
- The day that gave great Anna birth
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
- (Alto solo, then alto and soprano solo with chorus and orchestra)*
- Let flocks and herds their fear forget
- Lions and wolves refuse their prey
- And all in friendly consort meet
- Made glad by this propitious day.
- The day that gave great Anna birth
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
- (Bass and alto duet, then chorus with orchestra)*
- Let rolling streams their gladness show
- With gentle murmurs whilst they play
- And in their wild meanders flow
- Rejoicing in this blessed day.
- The day that gave great Anna birth
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
- Part 6: Kind Health descends on downy wings
* (A soprano and alto sing together with a solo oboe and the orchestra.) * This part talks about good health coming down like an angel to bring new life to the Queen.
- (Alto and soprano, then chorus with orchestra)*
- The day that gave great Anna birth
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
- (Bass solo, then chorus with orchestra)*
- Let envy then conceal her head
- And blasted faction glide away.
- No more her hissing tongues we'll dread
- Secure in this auspicious day.
- The day that gave great Anna birth
- Who fix'd a lasting peace on earth.
- Part 9: United nations shall combine
* (An alto solo sings, then the choir joins in with echo effects, a solo trumpet, and the orchestra.) * This final part says that all nations will come together to spread the word that Queen Anna's actions are wonderful, and her birthday is the most important day!
Famous Performances
The song "Eternal source of light divine" from this ode has been performed by many famous singers.
- On August 23, 2007, Kate Royal sang it at a big music festival called the Proms.
- On May 19, 2018, Elin Manahan Thomas sang this very same part as the music for the bride entering the church at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. A trumpet player named David Blackadder played the special trumpet part.
Recordings of the Ode
Many groups and singers have recorded this beautiful piece of music. While the part "Eternal source of light divine" was originally written for a male singer with a high voice (called a countertenor), it is often sung by female sopranos today. For example, Elin Manahan Thomas (a soprano) recorded it on her album "Eternal Light."
Images for kids
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Ambrose Philips, who wrote the words for the ode
-
Handel, around 1720
-
Hampton Court Palace Chapel, where music like this might have been heard
