handel

Everyday

1. (a name) George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) was a German-born composer who lived and worked in London; he wrote Messiah, Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. tree →
2. Handel can also be a surname. tree →
3. handel is not an English common word; do not confuse with handle. tree →

In the lessons

In music lessons about Baroque composers and in church music: the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah is sung at Christmas and Easter.

Examples

• Handel wrote Messiah in just a few weeks. tree →
• The choir sang the Hallelujah Chorus by Handel. tree →
• Handel's Water Music was played on a boat on the River Thames for King George I. tree →
• Handel was born in Germany but became British. tree →
• We listened to Handel in our music lesson. tree →
• The audience stands up for Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. tree →

Note

A name with a capital H. Spelling trap: the composer is Handel; a door has a handle. In German his name is Händel.