Messiah

I'm sure everyone has heard Messiah by George Frederic Handel Below, I copied a short article by Glenn D. Kittler. I hope you enjoy it. Another sign of God's miracle.

The composer was in despair. Struggling to earn a living in London, he knew days when he could not afford to buy meals. One night in 1741, depressed and defeated, he wandered the lonely streets; it was almost dawn when he returned to his shabby room. On a table was a thick envelope. It was from Charles Jennens, the man who wrote his librettos. Examining the pages, he founds them covered with Scripture texts.

Wearily, he tossed the pages aside and crawled into bed. But he could not sleep. The words he had read returned to him: Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God... The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light... For unto us a Child is born... Glory to God in the highest...Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Too stirred to sleep, he got up and went to his piano. The music flowed from his heart-rich, majestic, triumphant. He began to write. Night and day for three weeks, he wrote feverishly. He forgot sleep, food, rest. He refused to see anyone. At last, on the day the work was finished, one friend managed to gain entrance.

The composer was at his piano, sheets of music strewn around him, tears streaming down his face. "I do believe I have seen all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself," he exclaimed.

Millions of  people have been able to believe that. The first audience to hear the composition-in Dublin in 1742- gave it the greatest ovation in the city's history. Weeks later, London heard it for the first time, and again it was a triumph. The King was so impressed during the Hallelujah Chorus that he rose to his feet-a custom that still prevails.

This Christmas, in churches and concert halls around the world, millions of people will once again find hope and faith in the message of what has become the most beloved composition of all time-George Frederic Handel's Messiah.

God turned Handel's dispair into triumph.

As always your can email me your comments. pstinson23@comcast.net  

Messiah

              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.