Serenata "Die ihr das Glück genießet"
In his teens, Hertel spent a couple of years at the court of Anhalt-Zerbst, where he studied violin with the Konzertmeister Hoeckh and composition with Kapellmeister Fasch. The connection was kept alive when the latter sent his younger son to Strelitz for keyboard lessons with Hertel, who continued to visit Zerbst throughout his life.
He wrote this serenata (an evening entertainment) for the birthday of Caroline von Hessen-Kassel in 1759. Six years earlier, she had married Friedrich August of Anhalt-Zerbst, seemingly not with the approval of his mother. History does not record whether or not the work was ever performed - legend has it that her mother-in-law (then living in enforced exile in Paris) sent a beautiful dress that was poisoned. In any event, Caroline collapsed while dancing in it and died 12 days later.