Born the same year as Johann Sebastian Bach and Domenico Scarlatti , Handel is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Baroque era , with works such as '' Messiah '' , '' Water Music '' , and '' Music for the Royal Fireworks '' remaining steadfastly popular . One of his four coronation anthems , '' Zadok the Priest '' ( 1727 ) , composed for the coronation of George II , has been performed at every subsequent British coronation , traditionally during the sovereign 's anointing . Another of his English oratorios , '' Solomon '' ( 1748 ) , has also remained popular , with the Sinfonia that opens act 3 ( known more commonly as " The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba " ) featuring at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony . Handel composed more than forty operas in over thirty years , and since the late 1960s , with the revival of baroque music and historically informed musical performance , interest in Handel 's operas has grown
2012 London Olympics opening ceremony
2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony
George Frideric Handel