George Frideric Handel
A composer of towering dramatic power who fused German rigor with Italian melody to create some of the most enduring music in the English language.
1685–1759 (age 74)·German-British composer·Birthday: February 23
Biography
George Frideric Handel, born in Halle, Germany, was a man of cosmopolitan ambition and formidable will. Defying his father's wishes for a law career, he immersed himself in music, traveling to Italy where he absorbed opera. He later settled in London, becoming a naturalized British subject and the dominant musical force of his age. Handel possessed a shrewd theatrical sense and an unparalleled ability to set a scene with music, whether in over 40 Italian operas or the English oratorios that later defined him. His masterpiece, 'Messiah,' was composed in a white-hot burst of inspiration in just 24 days. Though he faced bankruptcy and shifting public tastes, his resilience was as remarkable as his output. By the time of his death, he was a national institution, and his music, from the water music for royal barges to the majestic 'Hallelujah' chorus, has never left the concert stage.
#1 When George Was Born
The biggest hits of 1685
George's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1685Born
1690Started school
1698Became a teenager
1701Could drive
1703Could vote
1706Turned 21
1715Turned 30
1725Turned 40
1735Turned 50
1745Turned 60
1755Turned 70
1759Died at 74
Key Achievements
- Composed 'Messiah,' an oratorio that has become a global cultural staple, particularly during the Christmas season.
- Founded the Royal Academy of Music in 1719 to produce Italian opera in London.
- Was commissioned to write music for the coronation of King George II, including 'Zadok the Priest,' which has been used at every British coronation since.
- Composed over 40 operas and 29 oratorios, significantly shaping the development of both forms.
Did You Know?
He suffered a stroke in 1737 which temporarily paralyzed his right arm and affected his thinking, but he made a full recovery.
He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a rare honor for a musician of his time.
He was known for having a fiery temper; a famous anecdote tells of him threatening to throw a soprano out a window during a rehearsal.
He lost most of his sight after failed cataract surgery performed by the same surgeon who operated on J.S. Bach.
“I should be sorry if I only entertained them; I wished to make them better.”
