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    Handel

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    Duel with Mattheson

    This image appears in the gallery:
    Handel: 15 facts about the great composer

    sword

    3. Duel with Mattheson

    A bizarre incident in 1704 might have seen Handel's composing career cut tragically short after a set-to with fellow composer Johann Mattheson. For reasons apparently unknown, the two had a fierce quarrel in which Mattheson almost killed Handel with his sword, which fortunately struck a button on Handel's chest rather than the chest itself.

    1. Image 1: halle germany
    2. Image 2: clavichord
    3. Image 3: sword
    4. Image 4: london skyline
    5. Image 5: royal academy of music
    6. Image 6: handel rinaldo
    7. Image 7: George Frederick Handel
    8. Image 8: Handel's Blue Plaque in 25 Brook Street, London
    9. Image 9: Handel House Museum © The Handel House Trust Ltd
    10. Image 10: opera house 15 images

    See the full gallery: Handel: 15 facts about the great composer

    Handel News

    See more Handel News

    Mezzo Daniela Mack Handel runs

    Mezzo sings a gigantic 72-note Handel phrase **in one breath**

     Handel shred

    This Handel shred is the most majestic piece of classical humour

    Monks Hallelujah Chorus

    We can’t stop watching these hilarious ‘silent monks’ singing the Hallelujah Chorus

    Handel Music

    See more Handel Music

    Forte Handbell Quartet

    A completely mad handbell arrangement of The Hallelujah Chorus

    Tilda Swinton has directed a Baroque music video starring her DOGS

    Tilda Swinton has directed a Baroque music video starring her DOGS

    Videos

    Handel's Messiah at the Bristol Proms

    Handel's Messiah at the Bristol Proms

    Handel Pictures

    See more Handel Pictures

    classical music on stamps

    The most beautiful classical music postage stamps

    Discover Music

    Handel's Messiah at the Bristol Proms

    Handel's Messiah at the Bristol Proms

    Handel Album Reviews

    See more Handel Album Reviews

    New releases 13th Feb

    New Releases: LSO plays Mendelssohn and the latest album from Riccardo Chailly

    Discover Music

    Albums 21 October

    Album Reviews and New Releases: Alexis Ffrench, Rach, Bach and Romeo

    Discover Music

    Album reviews - Barenboim, Handel and Mehta

    Album reviews and new releases: mighty Barenboim conquers Elgar

    Discover Music

    Handel Guides

    See more Handel Guides

    Brook Street Band

    We asked one of the best period instrument groups in the world to give us an in-depth Baroque masterclass

    George Frideric Handel

    Handel’s best music: 10 of the Baroque composer’s greatest works

    Handel House Brook Street

    Inside Handel and Hendrix in London

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