George Frideric Handel was a German-English Baroque composer, born in 1685 in Germany. He showed early musical talent and was given music lessons as a child. He composed church music and chamber works as a teenager. At age 19, Handel wrote his first opera, Almira, which was successful. Handel then spent time composing operas in Italy and London, where his works were very popular. Later in his career, Handel composed oratorios when opera popularity declined. He overcame health issues including strokes and blindness later in life. Handel made important contributions to Baroque music before passing away in London in 1759.

1. GEORGE FRIDERIC
HANDEL
Composer of Music

2. EARLY YEARS
Handel was born on February 23rd 1685 in Thuringia Germany. His father planned
on him pursuing a law career but with his musical abilities it was clear to him what
he was born to do. Although his father didn't’t allow him to even own a musical
interment, his mother allowed him to practice his God given abilities secretly. At
seven years of age Handel was given the chance to play the organ for the duke’s
court. During this opportunity he met the composer Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow.
Zachow took the young Handel as a student and by the age of ten he had mastered
composing for the organ, oboe and violin. From here until he was seventeen he
composed church cantatas and chamber music. Because this music was directed to
such a small crowd much of it has been lost.

3. When he was 18 Handel took a
job at the Hamburg Opera house
where he was a violinist. At the
age 19 he wrote his first
opera, Almira. Despite being his
first it was very successful and had
20 performances. He then
composed Nero, Florindo and
Dafine before trying his hand in
Italy.

4. Handel then made his way to Italy where he composed more operas and
some chamber pieces. While in Italy he came in contact with people who
were big into the London operas. so after Handel had made his mark on
Italy with Rodrigo and Agrippina. Once Handel was in London he was
allowed to write an opera for the Kings Theatre. He wrote Rinaldo and
amazingly it only took him two weeks. Rinaldo was also a very big hit, it
was his best work yet. After much time in London and many operas later
Handel decided to become an English citizen in 1726.

5. For many more years Handel work
hard producing many operas. Slowly
though opera faded from being ever so
popular. Handel decided to end his
opera career and move on to
something new. Handel moved to
creating oratorios, which are large-scale
concert works. These oratorios were
the last big thing to hit the London
scene. Through the rest of Handel’s
life he continued to compose oratorios.

6. Through his life Handel experienced many health problems. He has said to
have had great stress and also suffer from depression. In 1737 Handel
suffered from a stroke that
Ended movement in his right hand. Despite fans fearful he would never be
able to play again
he recovered after only six weeks. Again in 1743 he suffered from another
stroke only to again recover
very fast. Handel was also slowly going blind. He wrote an oratorio that was
in regard to him going blind.
The character from the oratorio Samson says,
“Total eclipse! no sun, no moon.
All dark amidst the blaze of noon.
Oh glorious light! no cheering ray
To glad my eyes with welcome day.”
Handel soon completely looses his sight in 1752.

7. Handel died at the age of 74. His death was on April 14, 1759 in
London. He was said to be a very giving man. He gave all his servants his things
as well as donated his money to charitable foundations. He was buried at the
Westminster Abbey. Handel even paid for his own funeral.

8. SOURCES
 "George Frideric Handel: His Story from Germany to England." George
Frideric Handel: His Story from Germany to England. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013.
 "George Frideric Handel." Handel, George Frideric : San Francisco Classical
Voice. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
 "Operas: George Frederic Handel Opera List (Complete)." Operas: George
Frederic Handel Opera List (Complete). N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013.
<http://classical-music-opera.com/george-frederic-handel/opera-list-operas.html>.
 "George Handel biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 22
Nov. 2013. <http://www.biography.com/people/george-handel-9327378?page=4>.