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Händel started his career as a child performer
on the piano. Aged 9 he composed some early work. Händel
had always had an affinity for opera and worked as a violinisst
and composer for the Hamburg opera house.
Later, he moved to London and was promoted to director of
the Royal Academy of Music. There, his name was adapted to
British spelling, hence his pseudonym 'George Frederic Handel'.
Händel was a prolific composer. His oeuvre consists
of fifty operas, numerous oratorios and a large amount of
church music and instrumental pieces. Today, his operas are
mostly forgotten but Händel is still famous for his oratorios.
'The Messiah' ('Der Messias') is probably his best known composition.
Another famous suite called 'Water Music' is said to have
been the means of reconciliation between Händel and King
George I of England.
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