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Messiah (Handel)
Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
Music
Organisation and numbering of movements
Part I
Scene 1: Isaiah's prophecy of salvation
1. Sinfony (instrumental) / 2. Comfort ye my people (tenor) / 3. Every valley shall be exalted (tenor) / 4. And the glory of the Lord (chorus)
Scene 2: The coming judgment
5. Thus saith the Lord (bass) / 6. But who may abide the day of his coming (alto) / 7. And he shall purify (chorus)
Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ's birth
8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive alto) / 9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (alto and chorus) / 10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass) / 11. The people that walked in darkness (bass) / 12. For unto us a child is born (chorus)
Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds
13. Pifa ("pastoral symphony": instrumental) / 14a. There were shepherds abiding in the fields (soprano) / 14b. And lo, the angel of the Lord (soprano) / 15. And the angel said unto them (soprano) / 16. And suddenly there was with the angel (soprano) / 17. Glory to God (chorus)
Scene 5: Christ's healing and redemption
18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano) / 19. Then shall the eyes of the blind (soprano) /20. He shall feed his flock (alto and soprano) / 21. His yoke is easy (chorus)
Part II
Scene 1: Christ's Passion
22. Behold the Lamb of God (chorus) / 23. He was despised (alto) / 24. Surely he has borne our griefs (chorus) / 25. And with his stripes we are healed (chorus) / 26. All we like sheep have gone astray (chorus) /27. All they that see him laugh him to scorn (tenor) / 28. He trusted in God (chorus) / 29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor or soprano) / 30. Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor or soprano)
Scene 2: Christ's Death and Resurrection
31. He was cut off (tenor or soprano) / 32. But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor or soprano)
Scene 3: Christ's Ascension
33. Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus)
Scene 4: Christ's reception in Heaven
34. Unto which of the angels (tenor) / 35. Let all the angels of God (chorus)
Scene 5: The beginnings of Gospel preaching
36. Thou art gone up on high (soprano) / 37. The Lord gave the word (chorus) / 38. How beautiful are the feet (soprano) / 39. Their sound is gone out (chorus)
Scene 6: The world's rejection of the Gospel
40. Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass) / 41. Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus) / 42. He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)
Scene 7: God's ultimate victory
43. Thou shalt break them (tenor) / 44. Hallelujah Chorus
Part III
Scene 1: The promise of eternal life
45. I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano) / 46. Since by man came death (chorus) / Scene 2: The Day of Judgment / 47. Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass) / 48. The trumpet shall sound (bass)
Scene 3: The final conquest of sin
49. Then shall be brought to pass (alto) / 50. O death, where is thy sting (alto and tenor) / 51. But thanks be to God (chorus) / 52. If God be for us (soprano)
Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah
53. Worthy is the Lamb (chorus) Amen (chorus)
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