In Vienna he met Steffani (Chapel Master) who persuaded him to go to Hanover and after a short time, the Elector, who became George I of England, appointed him Chapel Master and gave him permission to go to England for a visit before taking up his new work. This visit was the turning point in Handel’s career, for later he became an English subject and he—but we must not get ahead of our story! HANDEL IN ENGLAND Handel went to England about fifteen years after the death of Purcell, “The Orpheus of England.” Handel was quick to see Purcell’s good points and modelled his first English work to celebrate the Peace of Utrecht, on Purcell’s _Te Deum_. After arriving in London he wrote _Rinaldo_ with an Italian libretto in fourteen days! He was the speed maniac of the 17th and 18th centuries. His librettist said of him, “Mr. Handel barely allowed me time to compose my verses.” Later he arranged _Rinaldo_ for harpsichord and all England played it, especially the lovely aria _Lascia ch’io Piango_ (Let Me Weep). Yet Handel doesn’t seem to have made money out of _Rinaldo_, which brought the publisher, Walsh, $10,000, about which Handel said, “My dear fellow, the next time you shall compose the opera and I will publish it.” (_History of Music_, by Paul Landormy.) Later, he became the guest of the Duke of Chandos, at whose house he wrote at least sixteen compositions. King George had been very angry with Handel for leaving Hanover and remaining in England, but forgave him later, and Handel was made Director of the Royal Academy of Music which the King founded in 1719. Among Handel’s duties were the getting of the artists for the operas. This meant much to him and allowed him to travel all over Europe. He composed operas almost as people wrote their letters, for in eight years he produced eleven successful operas! Think of that for work! HANDEL AND HIS RIVALS But—he had a rival, Battista Buononcini, protégé of the mighty Duke of Marlborough, and a musical war raged in London. John Byrom, a humorist of the day wrote: Some say, as compared to Buononcini That Mynheer Handel’s but a ninny Others aver that he to Handel Is scarcely fit to hold a candle. Strange all this difference should be ’Twixt tweedledum and tweedledee.