# George Frideric Handel

> German-British Baroque composer (1685–1759)

**Wikidata**: [Q7302](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7302)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Frideric_Handel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/george-frideric-handel

## Summary
George Frideric Handel was a German-British Baroque composer (1685–1759) known for his contributions to opera, oratorio, and concerti grossi. He is celebrated for works like *Messiah* and *Water Music*, which remain staples of classical music.

## Biography
- Born: February 23, 1685, in Halle, Holy Roman Empire
- Nationality: German (later British)
- Education: Studied at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
- Known for: Composing over 60 operas, 29 oratorios, and numerous concerti grossi
- Employer(s): Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, various European courts, King George II of Great Britain
- Field(s): Classical music, opera, oratorio

## Contributions
- **Messiah (1741)**: A sacred oratorio that became one of the most performed choral works in history.
- **Water Music (1717)**: A set of three suites for orchestra, originally composed for King George I.
- **Music for the Royal Fireworks (1749)**: A musical composition performed at the coronation of King George II.
- **Giulio Cesare in Egitto (1724)**: An opera seria that premiered in London.
- **Alcina (1735)**: An opera seria that premiered in London.
- **Serse (1738)**: An opera seria that premiered in London.
- **Concerti grossi, Op. 6 (1731)**: A set of concerti grossi for strings, brass, and continuo.

## FAQs
**What is George Frideric Handel known for?**
Handel is known for his contributions to opera, oratorio, and concerti grossi. His most famous works include *Messiah*, *Water Music*, and *Music for the Royal Fireworks*.

**Where did George Frideric Handel study?**
Handel studied at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where he was a student of Johann Schein and Georg Philipp Telemann.

**Who were Handel's major influences?**
Handel was influenced by Italian composers such as Arcangelo Corelli, Alessandro Scarlatti, and Giovanni Bononcini.

**What was Handel's relationship with King George II of Great Britain?**
Handel served as the King's Music Master and composed several works for him, including *Music for the Royal Fireworks* and *Water Music*.

**What awards and honors did Handel receive?**
Handel was awarded the Handel Medallion in 1959 and has had numerous asteroids and craters named after him.

## Why They Matter
George Frideric Handel is considered one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period. His works have had a lasting impact on classical music and continue to be performed and studied today. Handel's ability to blend Italian and German musical styles made him a bridge between the two traditions. His compositions for the British royal court also helped establish classical music as a significant cultural institution in England.

## Notable For
- Composed *Messiah*, one of the most performed choral works in history.
- Created *Water Music*, a landmark in orchestral music.
- Served as the Music Master to King George II of Great Britain.
- Influenced numerous composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
- Awarded the Handel Medallion in 1959.
- Had numerous asteroids and craters named after him.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
George Frideric Handel was born on February 23, 1685, in Halle, Holy Roman Empire. He studied at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where he was a student of Johann Schein and Georg Philipp Telemann. Handel's early musical training included playing the harpsichord and violin.

### Career and Employers
Handel's career began in Halle, where he served as a harpsichordist and organist. He later moved to Italy, where he studied and composed operas. In 1705, Handel became the Kapellmeister at the court of Prince Georg Ludwig of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He then moved to Hamburg, where he served as the Kapellmeister at the court of King George I of Great Britain.

### Major Works
Handel composed over 60 operas, 29 oratorios, and numerous concerti grossi. His most famous works include *Messiah*, *Water Music*, and *Music for the Royal Fireworks*. *Messiah* premiered in Dublin in 1742 and became one of the most performed choral works in history. *Water Music* was originally composed for King George I and consists of three suites for orchestra. *Music for the Royal Fireworks* was composed for the coronation of King George II and includes the famous aria "Ombra mai fu."

### Influence and Legacy
Handel's influence extended beyond his own time. His works have been performed and studied by generations of musicians. He influenced composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Handel's ability to blend Italian and German musical styles made him a bridge between the two traditions.

### Awards and Honors
Handel was awarded the Handel Medallion in 1959. Numerous asteroids and craters have been named after him, including the asteroid 3826 Handel and the crater Handel on Mercury.

### Personal Life
Handel married Anna Maria Roos in 1712. They had seven children together. Handel's personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy, including the deaths of several of his children.

### Later Years and Death
In his later years, Handel continued to compose and perform. He served as the Music Master to King George II of Great Britain and composed several works for him. Handel died on April 14, 1759, in London. His funeral was attended by thousands of people, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey.

### Legacy
George Frideric Handel's legacy continues to be felt in the world of classical music. His works remain staples of the repertoire, and his influence can be seen in the compositions of later musicians. Handel's ability to blend different musical styles and his contributions to opera, oratorio, and concerti grossi have solidified his place as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque period.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. Archivio Storico Ricordi
4. BnF authorities
5. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
6. Genealogics
7. NNDB
8. The Fine Art Archive
9. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/16/arts/classical-music-messiah-reborn-his-name-shall-be-called-mangaza.html)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CiNii Research
13. MusicBrainz
14. [Source](http://geboren.am/person/Georg_Friedrich_Haendel)
15. Australian National Maritime Museum
16. Dictionary of Irish Biography
17. Swedish Literature Bank
18. Autoritats UB
19. The LiederNet Archive
20. Répertoire International des Sources Musicales
21. Trinity College Library
22. VcBA (identifier)
23. Alvin
24. NUKAT
25. Gran Enciclopèdia de la Música
26. Korean Authority File
27. CONOR.BG
28. Musicalics
29. CONOR.SR
30. National Library of Portugal
31. Sapere Encyclopedia
32. Catalogue of the Unione Romana Biblioteche Scientifiche
33. KANTO
34. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
35. MAK
36. Base biographique
37. AGORHA
38. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
39. SNAC
40. Internet Broadway Database
41. Find a Grave
42. International Music Score Library Project
43. Discogs
44. filmportal.de
45. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
46. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
47. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
48. Babelio
49. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
50. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies