-
Birthday
I was born in Halle, Germany on 23 February 1685 to George and Dorothea Handel. I was born to a family of no musical distinction. However, this did not hinder my musical talent. (cc)http://classical-music-opera.com/george-frederic-handel/history-timeline.html -
Period: to
LIfe span
-
Beginnings
Because my father wanted me to become a lawyer, this prevented me from playing any musical instruments. However, I managed to sneak past my father’s command by playing the hidden clavichord in the attic. At the age of 9, the Duke heard me playing the organ and convinced my father to let me study music under Friedrich Zachow. When I was just 12, my father died leaving me as the “man of the household.” (cc) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/800px-Cla -
University Studies
In this year, following my deceased father’s wishes, I began the study of law at the University of Halle. However, I abandoned the major of law for music and became the organist at the Protestant Cathedral. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Uni_Halle_Logo.png -
Travel to Hamburg and First Composition
At the age of 18, in 1703, I traveled to Hamburg, where I took a job as a violinist at the Hamburg Opera and gave private lessons to support myself. In 1706, my first two operas were produced, Almira and Nero. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Germany-CIA_WFB_Map.png -
Settled in London
In this year, I visit England for the first time and settled in London. There, I was welcomed by Queen Anne and was granted a pension, which was an income of 200 pounds annually. (cc)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3599402258_7c2b9976f7.jpg -
Opening of the Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy's first season opened on 2 April 1720 with Giovanni Porta's Numitore, followed soon after by my Radamisto. During the next eight years, almost half the performances were given over to my operas. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Royal_Academy_of_Music.jpg -
British Citizenship
In February of 1727, I applied and become a naturalized British citizen. This was so I could permanently settle and live in London. England was my home for a the majority of the rest of my life, up until my death. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/London_Handel_House.jpg/180px-London_Handel_House.jpg -
Public Career
In 1733, I began my public career as a composer of English texts by producing the second and larger version of Esther at the King's theatre. I followed this early in the same year by Deborah, in which the share of the chorus is much greater. In July, I produced Athalia at Oxford, the first work in which my characteristic double choruses appear. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4f/HandelVar_Var20.jpg -
Stroke
In April 1737, at age 52, I suffered a stroke, which left my right-arm temporarily paralyzed—preventing me from performing. This is also when I began to notice that my sight was going bad. It wasn’t until 1750 that I began to go blind. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/George_Frideric_Handel_from_NPG.jpg/465px-George_Frideric_Handel_from_NPG.jpg -
Visit to Dublin, Write Messiah
During the summer of 1741, I received an invitation from the Lord Lieutenant in Dublin to compose a new sacred oratorio which would be given at the New Music Hall, Fishamble Street, Dublin, in 1742. This is when I composed the Messiah. From the first performances in April 1742, Messiah was an unqualified success, taking its place among the finest and best-loved works ever composed. (cc)http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3359987589_cf5129bd5b.jpg -
Failing Sight
The sight in my left eye failed me, followed not long after by the failure of my right eye. Even when total blindness came in 1752, I continued to perform organ concertos and voluntaries between the parts of his oratorios, because so great was my memory and powers of improvisation. I remained involved in the arrangements for performances of my works up until my death. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/60/Handel_as_a_Boy.jpg -
Death
I achieved the status of a superstar and my music was already regarded as classic during my own lifetime. I died in London on 14 April 1759 after living and working in England for over 40 years. London now stages a large festival in honor of me. I am buried in Westminster Abbey in the Poet’s Corner. (cc)http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ce/Westminster_Abbey.JPG/392px-Westminster_Abbey.JPG
