George Frideric Handel

Handel was born in 1685, the same year that Bach and Scarlatti were born.

Handel's father didn't approve of his musical ambitions.  As a boy, Handel would sneak up to the attic to play the clavichord that had been hidden there.

Although he was German, the Brits like to claim Handel as their own.  He became a naturalized British citizen in 1726.

Handel composed the first English oratorio.

Handel composed the Water Music for a royal barge trip down the Thames.  The music so delighted King George that he asked for it to be played three times.

Handel assigned the rights to his massively successful Messiah to London's Foundling Hospital.

Unlike many musicians of the time, Handel was extremely wealthy, and left a small fortune when he died.

Handel was involved in a severe carriage crash in Holland, but survived with only minor injuries.

Handel had a huge appetite, and would order enough food for three people!

Handel was blinded by ocular surgeon, John Taylor -- the same surgeon who blinded Bach.