George Frideric Handel, a German-British Baroque composer, was born on February 23, 1685, and died on April 14, 1759. He was well known for his oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi, operas, and organ concertos.
According to Wikipedia, "Handel received his training in Halle and worked as a composer in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712, where he spent the bulk of his career and became a naturalized British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition and by composers of the Italian Baroque. In turn, Handel's music forms one of the peaks of the 'high baroque' style, bringing Italian opera to its highest development, creating the genres of English oratorio and organ concerto, and introducing a new style into English church music. He is consistently recognized as one of the greatest composers of his age."
He was quite ambitious: Handel started three commercial opera companies to supply the English nobility with Italian opera. Wikipedia states, "In 1737, he had a physical breakdown, changed direction creatively, and addressed the middle class and made a transition to English choral works. After his success with Messiah (1742), he never composed an Italian opera again. His orchestral Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks remain steadfastly popular." Messiah is, by far, among the most famous oratorios in history.
Towards the end of his life, he was almost blind. He died a very rich and respected man, and was given a state funeral at Westminster Abbey. For a period of 30 years of his life, Handel composed more than 40 opera serias.
Since the late-1960s, people have become more interested in Handel's music. Winton Dean, a musicologist, wrote, "Handel was not only a great composer; he was a dramatic genius of the first order." His music was admired by Classical-era composers, especially Beethoven and Mozart.
Olivia listened to four pieces by Handel, and her comments about them are noted below.
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