Ray Vandenburg

In this life story about George Frideric Handel, we follow the composer through the most striking experiences of his eventful life. From his youth in Halle, Germany, his travels through Europe and his move to London, where he settled in 1712, until his death in 1759.

00:00:10 - Opening Scene 00:02:40 - School Director 00:03:42 - Weissenfels, and two surprising men 00:07:20 - Friedrich Zachow, his music teacher 00:08:54 - Death of Handel's father 00:10:10 - Halle University 00:11:44 - Meeting with Georg Telemann 00:14:10 - Berlin - A dissapointed King Frederick I of Prussia 00:15:53 - A visit to mother 00:17:02 - Having a beer with a friend 00:21:29 - Forced to marry? 00:22:15 - A sword fight between composers 00:25:34 - Discovering Italy 00:27:59 - Forbidden by the Pope 00:29:48 - Arriving in London 00:32:46 - A Queen's offer that cannot be refused 00:35:25 - A letter to Telemann 00:35:53 - Living at his patron's mansion 00:36:29 - "Water Music" 00:37:12 - Starting a New Opera Company 00:39:49 - Coronation of King George II 00:41:23 - A business deal with an Opera impressario 00:42:22 - Recovering from a stroke 00:44:06 - Opera "Serse" - soprano Amira Willighagen 00:47:31 - "Messiah" 00:49:05 - "Royal Fireworks" 00:50:03 - Injured in an accident 00:50:21 - An unsuccessful eye operation 00:50:48 - Support from his secretary/amanuensis 00:51:48 - State funeral