We've taken a look at a few things you might not already know about Handel.
- George Frideric Handel was born in Germany and came to over to England at the request of George I. He then asked to be made a British citizen in 1727.
- His father wanted him to be a lawyer, but the Duke Johann Adolf I convinced him to let Handel take music lessons after seeing him perform.
- Handel was a big fan of Corelli – they met in Italy and the event was important for the young composer. Handel’s Concerto Grosso in A, Op. 6 No. 11 is directly inspired by Corelli’s Concerto Grosso in D, Op. 6 No. 1.
- When one of his sopranos refused to sing a piece, he lifted her in the air and threatened to throw her out the window.
- He was never married, kept his personal life very private and devoted to himself totally to music.