George Frideric Handel died on 14 April 1759 in Westminster, aged 74. A German-born Baroque composer, Handel trained in Halle, worked in Hamburg and Italy, and settled in London in 1712, becoming a British subject in 1727. He wrote dozens of Italian operas for the London stage and, as their popularity faded, turned to oratorio, English-language dramatic works for chorus and soloists. His oratorio Messiah, first performed in Dublin in 1742, contains the Hallelujah chorus and remains among the most performed choral works. Other well-known pieces include the Water Music, Music for the Royal Fireworks and the coronation anthem Zadok the Priest. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
Before and after
- 25 December 1758Halley's Comet returns as predicted
- 1759Construction of British Museum
- from 16 January 1759 to 19 January 1759Invasion of Martinique
- 25 January 1759Birth of Robert Burns
- 14 April 1759Death of George Frideric Handel
- 27 April 1759Birth of Mary Wollstonecraft
- 10 November 1759Birth of Friedrich Schiller
- from December 1759 to May 1760Burmese–Siamese War of 1759–60
- from 1760 to 1830Neoclassicism
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This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 18th century.