2. EARLY YEARS Handel was born on February 23rd 1685 in
Thuringia Germany. His father planned on him pursuing a law career
but with his musical abilities it was clear to him what he was born
to do. Although his father didn'tt allow him to even own a
musicalinterment, his mother allowed him to practice his God given
abilities secretly. At seven years of age Handel was given the
chance to play the organ for the dukes court. During this
opportunity he met the composer Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow. Zachow
took the young Handel as a student and by the age of ten he had
mastered composing for the organ, oboe and violin. From here until
he was seventeen hecomposed church cantatas and chamber music.
Because this music was directed to such a small crowd much of it
has been lost. 3. When he was 18 Handel took a job at the Hamburg
Opera house where he was a violinist. At the age 19 he wrote his
first opera, Almira. Despite being his first it was very successful
and had 20 performances. He then composed Nero, Florindo and Dafine
before trying his hand in Italy. 4. Handel then made his way to
Italy where he composed more operas and some chamber pieces. While
in Italy he came in contact with people who were big into the
London operas. so after Handel had made his mark on Italy with
Rodrigo and Agrippina. Once Handel was in London he was allowed to
write an opera for the Kings Theatre. He wrote Rinaldo and
amazingly it only took him two weeks. Rinaldo was also a very big
hit, it was his best work yet. After much time in London and many
operas later Handel decided to become an English citizen in 1726.
5. For many more years Handel work hard producing many operas.
Slowly though opera faded from being ever so popular. Handel
decided to end his opera career and move on to something new.
Handel moved to creating oratorios, which are large-scale concert
works. These oratorios were the last big thing to hit the London
scene. Through the rest of Handels life he continued to compose
oratorios. 6. Through his life Handel experienced many health
problems. He has said to have had great stress and also suffer from
depression. In 1737 Handel suffered from a stroke that Ended
movement in his right hand. Despite fans fearful he would never be
able to play again he recovered after only six weeks. Again in 1743
he suffered from another stroke only to again recover very fast.
Handel was also slowly going blind. He wrote an oratorio that was
in regard to him going blind. The character from the oratorio
Samson says, Total eclipse! no sun, no moon. All dark amidst the
blaze of noon. Oh glorious light! no cheering ray To glad my eyes
with welcome day. Handel soon completely looses his sight in 1752.
7. Handel died at the age of 74. His death was on April 14, 1759 in
London. He was said to be a very giving man. He gave all his
servants his things as well as donated his money to charitable
foundations. He was buried at the Westminster Abbey. Handel even
paid for his own funeral. 8. SOURCES "George Frideric Handel: His
Story from Germany to England." George Frideric Handel: His Story
from Germany to England. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. "George
Frideric Handel." Handel, George Frideric : San Francisco Classical
Voice. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. "Operas: George Frederic
Handel Opera List (Complete)." Operas: George Frederic Handel Opera
List (Complete). N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov. 2013. . "George Handel
biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 22 Nov.
2013. .
