The Masterworks [8 CD set incls 'Giulio Cesare', 'Messiah', 'Water Music', 'Dixit Dominus', etc]

With George Frideric Handel, Portrait invites you to follow the astonishing career of a Saxon composer who, unlike his exact contemporary Johann Sebastian Bach, practised the various national styles of the late Baroque in the countries that invented them. After a particularly fruitful period of apprenticeship in Italy, he intended to stay a short time in England but ended up spending the rest of his life there, becoming a national treasure. It was in London that he composed such masterpieces as 'Messiah' and the most exciting of all opere serie, 'Giulio Cesare'. An extensive illustrated booklet contains full notes on all the works in the programme, and collectors will appreciate the elegance and sturdiness of the box sets, which will become an indispensable acquisition for curious music-lovers.