HANDEL 1685 - 1759
Handel was born in the small German town of Halle. His father was Surgeon to the local ruler, a certain Duke of Weissenfels. From an early age he displayed a precocious musical talent. His local church organist was a fine musician and teacher, so Handel's talent was carefully nurtured. After a spell playing the organ in a local church, he left for Hamburg determined to become a composer of operas. He met with immediate success, a success which he enjoyed for the rest of his life. He settled in England and became a national institution. The programme traces his life and work and ends with an overview of his music.
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