George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)

German; Lived most of life in England

Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks

• As a child, Handel would secretly practice playing music on the clavichord at night in the attic due to his father’s disapproval of Handel’s musical aspirations.
• Handel’s career was almost cut short due to an argument with Johann Mattheson, a fellow composer. A duel began, but luckily, Handel was saved by a button on his shirt!
• During the first London performance of Handel’s Messiah, King George stood up during the Hallelujah Chorus. Since that day, it has become a tradition to stand during the famous chorus.