He had had minor musical successes, but had never held a single musical "job", due to the fact that he was convinced he should only accept a position commensurate with the status he felt he deserved. This, even though his credentials, at this time, certainly didn't merit such an appointment.
He met many of the great composers/musicians on his travels who would try to influence him, and encourage him, with little or no success.
He returned north of the Alps, closer to home where he was offered and accepted the appointment of court composer to the Elector of Hanover. He left the position almost immediately, however, and traveled to London, England, where he finally settled (and which he eventually considered "home"). He became a British subject. Ironically, the same Elector of Hanover became King George I of England, following the death of Queen Anne.
Success, musically, still eluded him.
Life was never easy for him. At various times, he was severely criticized by the English social establishment for his lack of artistic output -- some considered the work he DID produce as profane.
He suffered anxiety and great depression; some even have thought that he had a stroke during this time. He took to drinking -- drinking only the cheap port wine he could afford (which may have, eventually, led to his premature blindness.)
Finally, at the age of 56 years, never having produced a single work known to be as "worthy" and in a bout of severe depression, he decided to end his life.
He fell on his knees, and began to pray -- and, reportedly, music began coming to him -- flooding his mind, flooding his brain! This was just before Christmas, 1741.
Handel composed all night long..and the music never stopped pouring into him. He composed the following day, and still it came! Finally, after almost two days of composing, it was completed. The music, reportedly, stopped.
Since it was right before Christmas, he decided to dedicate this great piece of music to the only source he knew that it could have come from -- he called this piece the "Messiah".
The Messiah premiered in Dublin -- where it became an instant success! The music quickly traveled to London, and was received as well there as it had been in Dublin. Today, worldwide, we consider The Messiah one of the greatest pieces of Christian music ever written.
This "masterpiece" was written by a man who had never succeeded at anything in his life, who was about to commit suicide due to his complete and total state of depression.
Handel went on to have many more musical successes after the Messiah -- but he will always be remembered primarily for this piece he wrote, apparently almost unwillfully.
Handel died in 1759, and is buried in Westminster Abbey, recognized in England, and by many in Germany as the greatest composer of his day. His melodic beauty, boldness and humour all play a part to place him with J.S. Bach as the supreme master of the Baroque era in music.
And now you know...the rest of the story!
