006: Handel'S Opera V6

by Georg Friedrich Händel, Ellen T. Harris

Hardcover

First published March 1, 1989

About the author

Works of German-British composer George Frideric Handel include the orchestral Water Music (1717) and the oratorio Messiah (1742).

Andrés Segovia arranged his works.

Born the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach, Händel desired to study against the wishes of his father. He, a violinist in the opera house of Hamburg, then at 21 years of age in 1706 traveled to Italy. On his return, he accepted the position of director to the elector of Hannover but quickly left for England. After arrival of Handel, the elector of Hannover reigned as king of England adn secured position of Händel within the sphere of the country.

His first operas for the royal academy of operated as a public house; however, when Italians lost their popularity, he turned to the most fame. Händel went blind but continued to play the harpsicord at his performances before his death. People later buried the body of Charles Dickens next to his grave in the corner of poets of Westminster abbey.