George Frideric Handel

George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany on February 23, 1685. His father was a barber and a surgeon who wanted his son to become a lawyer, but George loved music. There’s a story that when George was 7 years old, he got a harpsichord for his birthday that he hid from his father in his attic. Whenever he had a chance, he would sneak into the attic to play.

When Handel was still a young boy, he had the opportunity to play the organ for a royal Duke in the German town of Weissenfels. When the Duke heard his talent, he commanded Handel's father to see to it that George have the best possible training in music. At that time, George began to learn how to compose, and how to play violin and oboe as well as the organ and harpsichord.

Despite his dedication to his music, and because his father insisted, when Handel turned 17, he began to study law at the University of Halle. This did not last long and when Handel was 18 years old, he decided to leave the university and become a full-time musician. Handel’s first job was in Hamburg, working as a violinist and harpsichord player for the city’s opera company. Operas were as popular back then as movies are today, and, recognizing the opportunity, Handel began to compose his own operas.

While still in his early twenties, Handel wrote several operas and toured all over Europe performing them. He eventually made his way to England, where he had his big breakthrough. In 1710, when Handel was just 25 years old, he composed his opera called Rinaldo that was first performed at the Queen’s Theater. It was an amazing success for him and that brought him fame and the reputation of being one of the finest composers, ever.

Handel loved working in England, and England loved Handel. They loved him so much that the queen declared that Handel be paid a yearly salary. This must have inspired Handel because he continued to write many operas, oratorios, and pieces of instrumental music. He also established the Royal Academy of Music and his own opera company. In 1727, Handel officially decided to become a British citizen and adopted England as his new country.

By 1740, Handel had completed his oratorio called the Messiah. An oratorio is a musical play based on a bible story, but it’s not acted out with costumes and props. The Messiah is Handel’s most famous work, and it’s thought that when the king first heard the music from Messiah, he was so filled with emotion that he rose to feet when hearing the "Hallelujah Chorus." The tradition continues to this day of standing when the "Hallelujah Chorus" from the Messiah is performed.

Over the course of his life, Handel, exhausted by stress, had several serious health problems. He suffered from anxiety and depression, had two strokes, and eventually became blind near the end of his life. Yet, through it all, he continued to perform on the organ and compose music. Handel died on April 14, 1759, and was buried in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abby in London, England. Over 3,000 people attended his funeral.