George Frideric (or
Frederick)
Handel (; born , ; 23 February 1685
(O.S.) [(N.S.) 5 March] – 14 April 1759) was a German, later British
Baroque composer who spent the bulk of his career in London, becoming well known for his
operas,
oratorios,
anthems, and
organ concertos. Born in a family indifferent to music, Handel received critical training in Halle, Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712; he became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the great composers of the
Italian Baroque and the middle-German
polyphonic choral tradition.