George A. Speckert

George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-British Baroque composer celebrated for his operas, oratorios, anthems, and orchestral works. Born in Halle, Germany, he worked in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712, where he became a British citizen and spent most of his career. Handel played a key role in advancing Italian opera and created the genres of English oratorio and organ concerto, leaving a lasting mark on English church music. His most famous works include Messiah, Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks, and Zadok the Priest, which has featured in every British coronation since 1727. Admired by composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven, Handel is recognized as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era.