The son of a lawyer, Handel had to initially hide his musical interest from his father. However, at 17 he became a church organist, and went on play in opera orchestras in Hamburg. At just 21, Handel moved to Italy to develop his skills as a composer, and had considerable success with his first ever operas. In 1714 Handel finally settled in England, and transformed British music and opera tastes. He is now best known for operas such as Rinaldo (his first London success), Rodelinda  and Acis and Galatea (his first staged opera set to an English libretto).

By 1750, Handel had suffered two strokes and entirely lost sight in his left eye. His passion for music propelled him to continue composing and performing, even after losing sight in both eyes just two years later. Even with all his health complications, Handel lived to the age of 74. Having never married, or fathered any children, he divided his assets among his servants, and  gave generously to charities. He is buried in Westminster Abbey in the south transept.

The composers are not only both German, but were born in the same year and grew up only 200 kilometres apart. They are both successful composers from the baroque period, although most of Johann Sebastian Bach’s fame grew after his death. Coincidentally, both composers suffered problems with their eyesight as they grew older, and sought the help of oculist John Taylor for relief from their cataract. Needless to say, the painful surgery was unsuccessful; Handel lived the last decade of his life with declining eyesight, and Bach died following complications from the surgery.