656. How Handel Got His Mojo Back

This episode of Freakonomics Radio delves into the life and career of George Frideric Handel, focusing on his entrepreneurial endeavors and the creation of his masterpiece, Messiah. The episode traces Handel's journey from Germany to Italy and then London, highlighting his financial struggles and eventual triumph with Messiah. Experts like musicologists Mark Reisinger and Ellen Harris, along with political scientist Charles King, provide insights into Handel's musical influences, business acumen, and the cultural context in which he worked. The narrative explores Handel's innovative approaches to music production, his relationships with patrons, and the pivotal role of Dublin in resurrecting his career, culminating in the success of Messiah as a charity piece for the Foundling Hospital in London.