The Scholarly Conference held within the framework of the Handel Festival in Halle on June 8 and 9, 2026, invites researchers from around the world to present their current work on George Frideric Handel and his artistic and social milieu.
Particularly welcome are contributions addressing two areas of special significance for the Handel Year 2026. The first concerns the theme of masculinity constructions in Handel’s operas and oratorios, as reflected in the festival motto “Men: Heroes – Rulers – Heartbreakers”. In Handel’s works, notions of masculinity are notably complex: “The stereotypical strong man offers little dramaturgical appeal – Handel and his librettists knew this well. Their male characters are complex, full of inner conflict, fragility, and tension” (Florian Amort). The second focus arises from the 200th anniversary of the birth of Friedrich Chrysander (1826–1901), which offers an occasion to reconsider the importance and legacy of this most influential Handel scholar of the 19th century.
We invite proposals for 25-minute papers. Please submit your subject proposal and abstract by January 31, 2026. Travel and accommodation expenses for the conference days will be covered.
Organisers:
Georg-Friedrich-Händel-Gesellschaft e. V., Internationale Vereinigung; Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Musik, Medien- und Sprechwissenschaften, Abteilung Musikwissenschaft; Stiftung Händel-Haus Halle.
Contact:
Dr. Annette Landgraf, landgraf@musik.uni-halle.de
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Hirschmann, wolfgang.hirschmann@musik.uni-halle.de
Ulrike Harnisch, gesellschaft@haendel.de
Download the call for papers: Call-for-Papers-2026-Handel-en.pdf [492KB/PDF]