A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Messiah

MESSIAH. Oratorio by Handel; libretto from Holy Scriptures by Charles Jennens. Composition commenced Aug. 22, 1741; first part completed Aug. 28; second part, Sept. 6; third part Sept. 12; instrumentation, etc., filled in Sept. 14;—in all 24 days only. First performed (during Handel's sojourn in Ireland) in the Music Hall, Fishamble Street, Dublin, for the benefit of the Society for relieving Prisoners, the Charitable Infirmary, and Mercer's Hospital, April 13, 1742. The principal singers were Signora Avolio, Mrs. Cibber, Church, and Roseingrave; principal violin, Dubourg; organist, Maclaine. First performed in England at Covent Garden Theatre, March 23, 1743. Performed annually by Handel from 1750 to 1758 in the Chapel of the Foundling Hospital for the benefit of the charity. It was the last oratorio given by Handel, viz. on April 6, 1759, eight days only before his death. After the original performance Handel revised and rewrote many portions of the oratorio with great care. In 1789 Mozart composed his additional accompaniments to it, so admirably executed as to have received almost universal acceptance and to be regarded as nearly an integral part of the composition. No musical work has had such long, continuous, and enduring popularity as the Messiah, nor has any other so materially aided the cause of charity. Much of the veneration with which it is regarded is, doubtless, owing to the subject, but much also must be attributed to the splendid music, some of which—the stirring 'Glory to God,' the stupendous 'Hallelujah,' and the magnificent 'Amen'—is 'not for an age, but for all time.' The published editions of the oratorio, in various forms, are exceedingly numerous; the most interesting being the facsimile of the original holograph score (now in the music library at Buckingham Palace) in photo-lithography, published by the Sacred Harmonic Society in 1868. Many historical and descriptive pamphlets, analyses of the work, etc., have been issued at various, times.

[ W. H. H. ]