"The great creative individual … is capable of more wisdom and virtue than collective man can ever be." --John Stuart Mill.

"O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain: O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon Thee." --Messiah, George Frederick Handel.

George Frederick Handel wrote 46 operas, 32 oratorios, and over 100 cantatas, duets, sonatas and other types of music. His most famous work is Messiah.

Handel was born in Halle, in present-day Germany, in 1685. Although his father wanted him to study law, he preferred music, and at age 17 became the head organist of the Cathedral of Halle. He wrote and performed his first opera, Almira, only three years later. Further successes followed, and by the time he left for England in 1710 the young man had secured a reputation as a composer of the first rank.

Handel suffered a stroke in 1738, and upon recovery embarked upon an even more creative period. In 1742 he composed Messiah, one of the most stunning orchestral masterpieces ever. He wrote the piece in just twenty-two days.