George Frederick Handel
George Frederick Handel, (1685-1759). German composer and musician, who spent most of his working life in Britain. After studying in Halle he produced his early operas in Hamburg and Italy, where he had great success. Following a brief period as musical director at the Hanoverian court (1710), he visited Britain and settled there in 1712. Handel is best known for his oratorios, including Israel in Egypt (1738) and the Messiah (1741), which was composed in only 21 days. His other works include orchestral Water Music (1717), chamber music, and organ concertos.
