Georg Friedrich Haendel (1685-1759) was a German composer, naturalized English. An outstanding virtuoso on the organ and harpsichord, thanks to some of his well-known works - notably "The Messiah", his organ concertos and concerti grossi, his harpsichord suites, his outdoor music (Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks) - Haendel remained famous throughout the 19th century, a period of oblivion for most of his contemporaries. However, for over thirty-five years he devoted himself mainly to opera.