Handel, George Frideric

Portrait
Born: Feb 23, 1685 AD
Died: 1759 AD, at 74 years of age.

Nationality: German
Categories: Composers, Musicians


1685 - George Frideric Handel, born on the 23rd of February in Halle, EC Germany. He was a German-born British Baroque composer who was a leading composer of concerti grossi, operas and oratorios.  His vast output included over 40 operas, about 20 oratorios, cantatas, sacred music, and orchestral, instrumental, and vocal works.

1702 - He was organist of Halle Cathedral at the age of 17, while also studying law,.

1703 -1706 - Worked as a violinist and keyboard player in the Hamburg opera orchestra.

1706 - 1710 - In Italy, he established a great reputation as a keyboard virtuoso, and had considerable success as an operatic composer.

1710 - He was appointed to the court of the Elector of Hanover (later George I of Great Britain).

1720 - He worked at the King's Theatre, London, where he produced a stream of operas, and then developed a new form, the English oratorio, which proved to be highly popular.

1737 - After a stroke, he rallied.

1739 - 1742 - Wrote some of his most memorable work, such as Saul, Israel in Egypt, and Messiah.

1759 - Died on the 14th of April. He is buried in Poet's Corner, Westminster Abbey.
Page last updated: 11:45am, 20th Apr '07

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