Upbringing and Early Career
Handel was born February 23rd 1685 in Halle, Germany. Despite a strong interest in music his father wanted him to study law, and he struggled to remain compliant until about the age of 18 when his father died and he devoted himself entirely to his calling.
In 1704 he moved to Hamburg and became a violinist and harpsichorist for the opera. Soon he began composing his own operas, which earned him an invitation to Italy. As he traveled, his absorption of the Italian styles greatly enhanced his already formidable talent. He composed the Dixit Dominus, one of his earliest masterpieces, in 1707 at the age of 22. Also from this period is the unstaged religious drama La Resurrezione, which anticipates his later achievements.
Traveling to London late in 1710, Handel got his first glimpse of what would prove his adopted country. Again he incorporated the national musical traditions into his own repertoire to achieve a unique sound. Following a six-month stay, he returned home to Germany, but would not stay for long. In 1712 he established himself permanently in England, beginning a long and sometimes tumultuous career in Italian Opera.