1. George Frideric Handel 1685-1759

2. Life German-British Baroque composer, famous for his operas, oratorios, and concertos. Handel was born in Germany in the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti. He was strongly influenced by the great composers of the Italian Baroque and the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition.

3. Early Years At an early age Handel became a skillful performer on the harpsichord and organ. In 1702, following his father's wishes, Handel started studying law at the University of Halle;and also earned an appointment as the organist at the local Protestant cathedral. After a year Handel seems to have been unsatisfied and in 1703, he accepted a position as violinist and harpsichordist in the orchestra of the Hamburg opera house.

4. His first two operas, Almira and Nero, were produced in 1705. He produced two other operas, Daphne and Florindo, in 1708. In 1706 Handel traveled to Italy for three years. – Composed a lot of Italian operas. Returning to Germany in 1710, Handel became Kapellmeister to German prince George, Elector of Hanover, who in 1714 would become King George I of Great Britain.

5. Move to London Was asked for a leave to go to London after a month With his opera Rinaldo, based on La Gerusalemme Liberata by the Italian poet Torquato Tasso, Handel enjoyed great success, "but it is difficult to see why he lifted from old Italian works unless he was in a hurry”. This work contains one of Handel's favorite arias, Cara sposa, amante cara. In 1712, Handel decided to settle permanently in England.

6. The conception of an opera as a coherent structure was slow to capture Handel's imagination and he renounced it for five years. In July 1717 Handel's Water Music was performed more than three times on the Thames for the King and his guests – The Water Music is a collection of orchestral movements, often considered three suites – All the instruments in the Baroque orchestra were included in the composition, except the harpsichord and timpani, which would have been inconvenient to bring onto the barge.

7. Oratorio Italian Opera vs. english audience Usually based on stories from the Old Testament and have titles like Israel in Egypt, Joshua. Composed to entertain paying audiences in public theaters. Messiah (1741) – Lasts about 21/2 hours – In three parts – the libretto covers the prophecies concerning the coming of Christ, the birth, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and finally the End Times with the Christ's final victory over death and sin. – Although the work was conceived for secular theatre and first performed during Lent, it has become common practice since Handel's death to perform Messiah during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas season, rather than in Lent or at Easter. Messiah is often performed in churches as well as in concert halls.

8. Later Years In 1749 Handel composed Music for the Royal Fireworks; 12,000 people attended the first performance. – a wind band suite composed under contract of George II of Great Britain for the fireworks in London's Green Park on 27 April 1749. It was to celebrate the end of the War of the Austrian Succession and the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la- Chapelle in 1748.

9. Works Handel's compositions include 42 operas, 29 oratorios, more than 120 cantatas, trios and duets, numerous arias, chamber music, a large number of ecumenical pieces, odes and serenatas, and 16 organ concerti. Handel introduced previously uncommon musical instruments in his works: the viola d'amore and violetta marina (Orlando), the lute (Ode for St. Cecilia's Day), three trombones (Saul), clarinets or small high cornets (Tamerlano), theorbo, horn (Water Music), lyrichord, double bassoon, viola da gamba, bell chimes, positive organ, and harp (Giulio Cesare, Alexander's Feast).