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 Christianity Composed on April 13, 1742 in Dublin The work is based on a libretto by Charles Jennens, who assembled the Messiah together Libretto – 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.”