And so, Händel’s music career began as a violinist in an opera. After becoming successful, he moved to Italy for some time, then to Hanover, finally settling in London in 1713. Händel’s Water Music (1717), a group of popular orchestral pieces was so named because Händel’s patron, King George I, sailed down the Thames accompanied to this music. Although Händel was German, he spent most of his life in England and later became a British citizen in 1726. His anthem, Zadok the Priest (1727), written for the coronation of King George II, has been used for every subsequent British coronation to this day. Händel was the composer of many fine operas and oratorios (dramas based on sacred subjects), among many other genres. He wrote the world’s most famous oratorio, Messiah (1741). Taken right from biblical scripture, it is divided into three parts depicting the coming of and birth of Christ, his death and resurrection, and doctrines of faith and immortality. Upon hearing the oratorio, Haydn exclaimed, “He is the master of us all!” Beethoven himself claimed Händel was the greatest composer that ever lived. Although it didn’t adversely affect his work, Händel lived with blindness for the last 7 years of his life as a result of unsuccessful eye surgery.

Georg Friedrich Händel’s musical genius has inspired musicians and brought audiences to their feet since the world first heard from him almost 300 years ago. Together with Joahnn Sebastian Bach he was one of the most influential musicians of the Baroque Era. Händel’s passion and creativity made him a favorite within European high society, most notably in England. After a lifetime of riches and success, he died in London and is buried in Westminster Abbey.