For Christians and classical music lovers, the Advent/Christmas season would not be complete without listening to a recording or attending a concert of Handel’s “Messiah.” It’s probably fair to say that most people in the Western world can hum the first few bars of the “Hallelujah Chorus.” ”Messiah” has become part of our culture, but few of us know its origins or the scope of its legacy. Did you know that Handel wrote the oratorio in twenty-four days or that it saved a hospital and caused a king to “get to his feet?”
It all started with George Frederic Handel (1685-1759). Who was born in Germany but became a British subject in 1727. He loved to write Italian operas, which were extremely popular with English audiences, and they brought him success for many years.
As time passed, however, musical fashions changed. People got tired of Italian opera. They wanted entertainment in their native language. It took Handel some time to catch onto this trend; however, financial distress and depression soon led him to accept an invitation to present a series of concerts in aid of charities for children in Dublin, Ireland, in the summer of 1741. It also gave him the much-needed inspiration to compose a work in English.
After a dozen successful concerts, the official premiere of “Messiah” was given on April 13, 1742. It created such a sensation that hundreds of eager listeners were turned away from the performance.
While this was a momentous event, what cemented “Messiah’s” popularity was its connection with London’s Foundling Hospital, an institution for abandoned children. In 1749, after hearing of their financial difficulties, Handel offered to give a benefit performance of the oratorio. His interest in this project was so great that he became a benefactor and hospital governor for the last ten years of his life. Since then, annual performances of “Messiah” have been given, providing a vital source of income for the hospital.
If you don’t know much about the work, here is a brief overview: “Messiah” is a choral work called an oratorio. It is similar to an opera in that it tells a story presented by solo singers, a choir, and an orchestra, but without costumes, props, and sets. Oratorios are sacred in subject matter and are performed in churches or concert halls. “Messiah” focuses on the life of Jesus. It is divided into three sections, drawing on biblical texts. Part I describes the prophecies and the birth of Jesus. This section is often performed separately and mainly heard during Advent. Part II is the story of the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. It contains the poignant contralto aria “He Was Despised” and ends with the famous, “Hallelujah Chorus.”
Part III depicts the promise of redemption through Christ’s victory over death, opening with the moving soprano aria, “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.”
Have you ever been to a performance where the audience stood when the “Hallelujah Chorus” was sung?
This came about because King George II rose to his feet when he first heard it. Royal protocol demanded that whenever the monarch stood everyone in his presence had to do the same. Thus, the entire audience stood, initiating a tradition that has lasted well over two centuries.
No one knows why King George stood, but popular explanations include everything from his highness being moved by the music to his gout acting up, causing him to stand to relieve the discomfort at the precise moment the chorus began. One thing is certain, however, “Messiah” is here to stay. The music is glorious and spiritually uplifting. It transcends time and can be enjoyed during Advent, Easter, or at any time of the year.
