"This is George Frederick Handel. He looks very satisfied with things. He's smiling a little, as if he's very sure of himself. You'd have to be very sure of yourself to wear a wig that gigantic." So begins this witty, occasionally irreverent story of the life of one of the eighteenth century's greatest composers. From the determined young boy who smuggled a harpsichord up to his parents' attic to practice the forbidden instrument, to the young man in London who wooed the King and Queen of England with his grand Italian operas, Handel was someone who knew what he wanted. This beautifully written and informative book gives a fascinating insight into Handel's life story, documenting his rise to fame, his period of self-doubt and unpopularity, followed by the composition of one of the most rousing picces of music ever written - The Messiah.

 

There are 48 pages in this book. This book was published 2001 by Walker Books Ltd .

Paul Fleischman is the award-winning author of many books for children and young adults. His book "Joyful Noise: Poetry for Two Voices" won the Newbery Medal. Paul lives in California, USA. Kevin Hawkes is the illustrator of a number of popular books for children, including "Weslandia" for which he was Commended for the Kate Greenaway Medal. He lives with his family in Maine, USA. M. T. Anderson studied English Literature at Harvard University, USA, and then at Cambridge University. He now studies and teaches writing at Syracuse University in New York. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed young adult novel Burger Wuss. M. T. Anderson is the author of several critically acclaimed young adult novels including Burger Wuss and Thirsty. He lives in Massachusetts, USA.