Задание

Read the text. Decide if the statements are true or false.

The Story of a Little Boy Who Practised in an Attic

George Frederick Handel was born in Germany, where his name was Georg Friedrich Handel. But the great composer spent so much of his life in England that people now use the English form of his name. Handel was born in the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685.

The father was a surgeon and barber, a queer combination. We know that he did not like music and that he was unwilling for his son to study it. The father was so determined that his son should not study music that he refused to let him go to school. But with the mother, it was quite different. She observed the little boy’s love of music. In the Handel home, there was a big roomy attic; the ceiling was low, and the windows had thick panes.

“Here,” said Mother Handel, “my little boy can play the harpsichord to his heart’s content.” You can imagine the surprise when the stern barber-surgeon stalked into the attic, followed by the family, holding high the lantern. ‘No, indeed,” we may imagine Father Handel exclaiming, “my son shall be a famous lawyer.”

When Handel was twelve years old his father died. From that time on he worked hard to perfect himself in his profession. He became an organist at Halle but soon left for Hamburg, which at that time was renowned for its music. In his twenty-second year, Handel went to Italy, where he stayed for three years. After his residence in Italy Handel went back to Germany, where he met the Hector of Hanover, who induced him to accept the post of Capellmeister. Handel agreed to do this on condition that he might first visit England.

Handel greatly wished to give opera in London and devote his time to it as a composer. Handel was much beloved in England and was received at court, later he became a naturalized British subject. He had a house in London, which in those days must have been considered a very fine one.

Toward the end of his life, he became blind. Someone had to lead him to the organ loft, where, with his wonderful skill, he could still charm and delight.

TRUE

FALSE

He lived in Italy for three years.

He was born in England, in 1613.

His father was a barber and surgeon, who intended his son

to become a teacher.

Handel became a British subject.

He lost his sight at the end of his life.