Handel
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) — German-born, British-adopted composer of Messiah and dozens of operas and oratorios.
In Depth
Handel was born in the same year as Bach, just 130 kilometres away, yet their careers could not have been more different. While Bach remained a local church musician, Handel became an international celebrity, composing Italian operas for London audiences and eventually creating the English oratorio as a new genre.
Messiah, composed in just 24 days, is the most frequently performed choral work in history. Its Hallelujah chorus is so iconic that audiences have stood during it since (according to legend) King George II rose to his feet at its premiere. Handel's orchestral works — the Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks — remain concert staples, and his operas have enjoyed a major revival since the 1960s.
Handel and Bach were born the same year, 130 km apart, yet never met. Handel became a superstar; Bach remained obscure until decades after his death.