Advent and the Messiah And "Libretto"
George Frideric Handel was born in Germany but later went to Italy to write operas and then to England. This spelling of Frideric is correct. Handel later added the h to the end of his name.
He became King George I's favorite composer.
He was asked to write a piece for a fundraising concert in Dublin, Ireland. The concert would benefit three charities, two hospitals, and a jail.
It was to be an Easter celebration. Handel, it is said, wrote the entire work from August 22 to September 14, 1741. He hardly slept or ate. His servant would bring him his morning food and find him crying. The original manuscript has tear stains and can be seen in the Coram Foundation in London.
The words are from his friend Charles Jennens, who used Old and New Testament verses. They cover the life of Christ from His birth to death and resurrection. The word Libretto means book of words for operas, etc.
The first concert was advertised, and the notice asked the gentlemen not to wear their swords (forty-inch swords were used for fashionable dress) and the ladies not to wear their hoops in their fancy dresses. It was feared there would not be enough room for everyone at the theatre. They were correct. It was a huge success.
Handel conducted the orchestra and singers. There are believed to have been less than twenty singers, and the instruments differed in his day.
During his lifetime, he conducted or played an instrument and always for charity, every year.
Today, the parts dealing with Christ's birth and the Hallelujah Chorus are played and sung for Advent.
Messiah means "anointed one" from the Hebrew word Mashiah, and Christ is the Greek word for Mashiah.
It is believed that Messiah has been performed at least once somewhere every year.
I listen to the Advent part of Messiah on a78 record. I'm sure a live concert would be more powerful.
Whether you celebrate Advent or not, the Messiah music is a joy to hear.
Blessed Advent to you all.
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