Name: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Hometown: Halle, Brandenburg (now Germany)
Listen to: ‘Water Music’, ‘Messiah’, ‘Zadok the Priest’
Handel composed in both Germany and Italy before moving to London in 1712, where he soon became the most celebrated musician of his generation. He is credited with inventing the English Oratorio, but also composed for stage and the concert hall. His naturally private nature protected him from rumours that often lodged themselves into the lives of other composers. Although he professed that the reason he was not married was because he wanted to dedicate all his time to music, Handel was a member of circles where homosexuality was an open secret, both in Italy and the UK. His sexuality is still debated today, but many now believe him to have been gay.