George Frideric Handel: Messiah as an Oratorio
by Roy Chan Date: December 1, 2008
“Handel is so great and so simple that no one but a professional musician is unable to understand him.”-- Samuel Butler (1835-1902)Victorian author
Biography• Born in Germany on February 23, 1685 to
April 14, 1759• Baroque composer who is famous for his
operas, concerti grossi, and oratorios• Oratorio – large musical composition that
includes orchestra, a choir, and soloists• Handel wrote the first English oratorio
called the Messiah • Handel’s music had largely influence
Mozart, Beethoven, and Hadyn works
What is the Messiah?Messiah – “the anointed one”, meaning a work about Jesus’ life and it’s relationship with ChristianityComposed on April 13, 1742 in DublinThe work is based on a libretto by Charles Jennens, who assembled the Messiah togetherLibretto – an extended musical work opera, ballet, and oratorio
The Text• Performed during Advent
(during Christmas season)• Deals with both the Old and
New Testament • Score contains SATB soloists,
SATB chorus, 2 oboes, bassoon, 2 trumpets, timpani, strings, and basso continuo
• Divided into three parts:• 1) Advent and Christmas
Stories• 2) Christ’s passion,
resurrection, ascension, and evangelization
• 3) The Revelation to St. John
Oratorio in Three Parts• Part I: The Birth
• Scene 1: The prophecy of Salvation• Scene 2: The prophecy of the coming
of the Messiah • Scene 3: Portents to the world at
large • Scene 4: Prophecy of the Virgin Birth • Scene 5: The appearance of the
Angel to the shepherds • Scene 6: Christ's miracles
• Part II: The Passion• Scene 1: The sacrifice, the scourging
and agony on the cross • Scene 2: His death, His passing
through Hell, and His resurrection• Scene 3: His Ascension• Scene 4: God discloses His identity in
Heaven• Scene 5: The beginning of
evangelism • Scene 6: The world and its rulers
reject the Gospel • Scene 7: God's triumph
• Part III: The Aftermath • Scene 1: The promise of redemption
from Adam's fall • Scene 2: Judgment Day • Scene 3: The victory over death and
sin • Scene 4: The glorification of Christ
Fun Facts• “Messiah,” NOT “The Messiah”• Messiah was once called A Sacred Oratorio • Handel’s Messiah was intended for Easter not Christmas• The Messiah was first performed in Dublin and not in
London where he wrote this piece• Most popular work in Western choral literature today• The entire Messiah was written in 24 days• Handel was once performed the Messiah at the
Founding Hospital in a children’s home which ultimately led the work to be performed yearly today
Handel House Museum Today
• Located in London on 25 Brook Street
• Is open to the public• Contains a lot of fine
and decorative art works
• There are weekly recitals every Thursday
• This is the house where he wrote the Messiah
Recordings Today on CD
UCI Holiday Concert (Holifest)@ HIB 100 in 7:30pm; Admission: $5.00
• Featuring the UCI Choir – Chamber Singers, Women’s Chamber Choir, Men in Blaque, and University Chorus
• Christmas music from:• “Wonderful Time of the Year”• “Little Drummer Boy”• “White Christmas”• “Silent Night”• “Feliz Navidad”• Encore presentation of
Handel’s Messiah• And much much
more….come and be merry!!
Any questions???
“Dance as though no one is watching you. Love as though you have never been hurt before. Sing as though no one can hear you. Live
as though heaven is on earth.”