Handel

George Frideric Handel


George Frideric Handel was born in Halle, Germany on February 23, 1685. His name was originally spelled Georg Friedrich Handel. He was baptized at the Church ‘Zuunser lieben Frauen’ at Halle-on Saal on February 24, 1685. Handel’s father, Herr Georg Handel, was a barber-surgeon. Handel was born into his father’s second marriage. His father was 62 years old when George was born. His mother was Dorothea. She was about 30 years younger than her husband. Handel’s father had children from his first marriage. Handel also had two sisters from his father’s second marriage. Their names were Dorothea Sophia and Johanna Christiana.
Handel was not born into a musical family. His father hoped that Handel would study law. However, when he was 9 years old his musical talent was so developed that he was able to study with a composer and an organist. At the age of 11, he was giving organ lessons and also composing. Handel became the assist...