Biography of Georg Friedrich Händel

Händel (Handel, Haendel, Hendel), Georg Friedrich (George Frederick). Intended to enter law by his father, but learnt the harpsichord and organ; studied at Halle Cathedral, 1692 under Friedrich W. Zachau at the instigation of the Duke of Saxe-Weissenfels, where he learnt counterpoint, organ, harpsichord and oboe. Assistant organist of Halle Cathedral; competed with Mattheson for the post of organist at Lübeck, 1703, but they both retired when they discovered that they would have to marry the daughter of their predecessor there. Went to Hannover to become violinist at opera, 1703; to Italy, 1706; capellmeister to the Elector of Hannover, 1709; visited England, 1710, 1712; capellmeister to the Duke of Chandos, 1718; music master to the Prince of Wales; director of the Royal Academy. Was troubled to failing eyesight, and had three operation, but resulted in total blindness, 1752; even with this he still managed to continue to play the organ at the performances of his oratorios. Composed operas, oratorios, serenatas, odes, anthems, songs, cantatas, concertos, suites, &c. b. Halle, Germany, Feb. 23^rd, 1685; d. London, England, Apr. 14^th, 1759.

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