George Frederick Handel

Short Name: George Frideric Handel
Full Name: Handel, George Frideric
Birth Year: 1685
Death Year: 1759

George Frideric Handel was born on 23 February 1685 (O.S.; 5 March 1685, N.S.) in Halle, Germany. Despite his father’s desire for him to become a lawyer, Handel pursued music, studying under Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow, organist at Halle Cathedral. He became proficient on keyboard instruments and violin, and displayed exceptional compositional talent from a young age.

Handel traveled to Italy, where he absorbed Italian musical styles, composing operas and sacred works, before settling permanently in London in 1712, becoming a naturalized British subject in 1727. He achieved fame for his Italian operas, English oratorios, anthems, and organ concertos, with works such as Messiah (1741), Water Music, and Music for the Royal Fireworks securing enduring popularity. He also composed three hymn tunes, including one (GOPSAL) still found in modern hymnals, and his melodies were adapted for others, such as ANTIOCH, associated with “Joy to the World.”

Handel’s career included running three opera companies and adapting his work to the tastes of English audiences, particularly after his physical breakdown in 1737, after which he focused on English choral works. His English oratorios, such as Saul, Israel in Egypt, and Samson, demonstrated mastery in orchestration and choral writing, often using English soloists and chorus in innovative ways.

He was also a noted philanthropist, supporting the Foundling Hospital in London and arranging performances of Messiah to benefit the institution. Handel’s later years were marked by failing eyesight, leading to complete blindness by 1752. He died on 14 April 1759 in London, aged 74, and was buried with full state honors at Westminster Abbey. Handel never married, leaving much of his estate to relatives, servants, friends, and charitable institutions.

Handel is recognized as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era, admired in his lifetime and by later composers including Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, and remains celebrated for his dramatic genius and lasting contributions to church and secular music.

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