Handel moved to London in 1711 at the age of 26 and lived there for the rest of his life, becoming a British citizen in 1727. He was the leading figure in musical London and through his various patrons and business ventures was eventually able to enjoy a comfortable life there. His operas and oratorios were the talk of the town, and became mainstream repertoire in his own time. His philanthropy stretched beyond his lifetime and his music is still among the most widely performed in Britain today.
