birth_date: 1685-02-23 00:00:00
avg_rating: 4.57
name: Georg Friedrich Händel
about: Born the same year as Bach, Händel desired to study music against the wishes of his father. He became a violinist in the opera house of Hamburg, and then at twenty one travelled to Italy. On his return, he accepted the position of director of music to the Elector of Hanover, but soon left for England. A few years after his arrival, the Elector became king of England, securing Händel's position within the music sphere of the country. He first composed operas for the Royal Academy of Music, which operated as a public opera house, however, when Italian opera lost its popularity, he turned to composing oratorios, the most famous being the "Messiah". Before his death, Händel went blind, but continued to play the harpsicord at his oratorio perfor Born the same year as Bach, Händel desired to study music against the wishes of his father. He became a violinist in the opera house of Hamburg, and then at twenty one travelled to Italy. On his return, he accepted the position of director of music to the Elector of Hanover, but soon left for England. A few years after his arrival, the Elector became king of England, securing Händel's position within the music sphere of the country. He first composed operas for the Royal Academy of Music, which operated as a public opera house, however, when Italian opera lost its popularity, he turned to composing oratorios, the most famous being the "Messiah". Before his death, Händel went blind, but continued to play the harpsicord at his oratorio performances. He is buried next to Charles Dickens in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey. ...more
death_date: 1759-04-14 00:00:00