Classic 107 celebrates Handel all day Monday! Tune in throughout the day for music by the Baroque composer on all of our shows.

According to the 'Old Style' Julian calendar, George Frediric Handel was born on this day (Feb 23) in 1685--330 years ago.

Here are some interesting facts about the composer:

 

Born in Halle

George Frideric Handel was born the same year as Bach and Domenico Scarlatti, in Halle, Germany.

 

Played the clavichord in secret

Handel's lawyer father was not a huge fan of his son's musical ambitions. In fact, when he was a boy, Handel had to sneak to the attic to play a clavichord that had been hidden up there.

 

Duel with Mattheson

A bizarre incident in 1704 could have seen Handel's composing career cut tragically short after a battle with fellow composer Johann Mattheson. For reasons apparently unknown, the two had a fierce quarrel in which Mattheson almost killed Handel with his sword! Fortunately he struck a button on Handel's chest rather than the chest itself.

 

    

London calling

Handel was a hit in London, as evidenced by the very generous salary of £200 or $386 CAN he received from Queen Anne when he moved there in 1712.

 

Musical director of RAM

Handel's successes in London continued, and he was eventually made the musical director of The Royal Academy of Music.

 

Rinaldo - his first London success

in 1711 the London stage was treated to its first ever opera composed specifically for it. The premiere performance of Handel's Rinaldo took place at the Queen's Theatre in Haymarket. It was Handel's music  that really established the popularity of opera in London. Handel was sent abroad by the Royal Academy of Music to attract the best available singers to London. Senesino the famous castrato was offered the vast sum of £2,000 (About $3800 CAN) a year to perform in London in 1710.

 

Acis and Galatea

His first work in the English language might not be his most well-known, but during his lifetime it was Handel's most popular work by far. It even received the honour of a little re-write by none other than Mozart in 1788. Well, if someone has to tinker with it, it may as well be Mozart...

The story was taken from Greek mythology. The sea nymph Galatea is loved by a shepherd Acis, who is murdered by his jealous rival, the giant Polyphemus. Galatea makes Acis immortal by transforming him into a fountain.

The first performance took place in the gardens at Cannons, the great house built by the Handel's patron, the Duke of Chandos. It was first performed publicly in 1731.

 

Celebrated in London

Even though he was German-born and educated, the Brits like to claim Handel for their own. He was fond of his home in 25 Brook Street, London, and Londoners were equally fond of him, as evidenced by the picture above .  .  .

 

Handel House Museum

In the middle of Mayfair is a permanent monument to Handel's life and music - his house. It has been lovingly restored to look exactly how Handel would've kept when he lived there from 1723 until his death in 1759. (©The Handel House Trust Ltd)