George Frideric Handel George Frideric Handel was born in Halle in the Duchy of Magdeburg (province of Brandenburg-Prussia) in 1685, the same year as JS Bach and Domenico Scarlatti. He was a child prodigy who by the age of 7 was performing on the organ and harpsichord. Although his father was against the idea of his son being a musician, wanting him to be a lawyer instead, his mother encouraged him. He was allowed to take lessons in Halle.
Born: February 23, 1685, Halle, Duchy of Magdeburg
Died: April 14, 1759, London, England
After the death of his father in 1697, Handel tried to follow his father's wishes and began law studies at the University of Halle. In 1704, however, Handel went to Hamburg to be a musician in the Opera House Orchestra.
In 1710, George, Elector of Hanover, appointment Handel as Kapellmeister. It was not long before George became King George I of Great Britain, and Handel moved with him to London, England. Handel remained in London for the remainder of his life. He died in London in 1759. He was given a full state funeral with burial in Westminster Abbey. Handel never married and upon his death was a very rich man.
It is written that Beethoven said of Handel: "Handel is the greatest composer who ever lived. I would bare
my head and kneel at his grave"
It is also written that Bach said of Handel: "
"[He] is the only person I would wish to see before I die, and the
only person I would wish to be, were I not Bach."
No reliable sources have been found for either of these quotes.