Handel was born in the small German town of Halle. His father was Surgeon to the local ruler a certain Duke of Weissenfels. From an early Age he displayed a precocious musical talent. His local church organist was a fine musician and teacher so Handel's talent was carefully nurtured. After a spell playing the organ in a local church he left for Hamburg determined to become a composer of operas. He met with immediate success, a success which He enjoyed for the rest of his life. He settled in England and became a national institution. The film outlines his life and is followed by a brief overview of his works.