Any idea how many times the Messiah has been performed at the Royal Albert Hall?
All of 524 times since 1872!!
However it was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later.. Originally written for Easter the Messiah has also become strongly linked with the Christmas season. The 'Hallelujah’ chorus is one of the most famous pieces of Baroque choral music and the most widely known section of the work.
The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer and is a reflection of Jesus as the Messiah.
In Part 1 the text begins with the prophecies by Isaiah and others and moves to the angels announcing his birth to the shepherds. In Part 2 Handel concentrates on the Passion and ends with the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus.
In Part 3 he covers the resurrection of Christ from the dead and his ascension into heaven.
Interestingly Handel composed the entire Messiah at breakneck speed, in just 24 days without getting much sleep or food.
The Messiah was close to Handel’s heart and as the story goes, his reply to a nobleman who congratulated him on the ‘entertainment’ was “ My Lord I should be sorry if I only entertained them. I wished to make them better”.
Our Christmas concert will be held on Sunday 12th December at 6.00 pm singing Handel’s Messiah by candlelight, plus audience carols and mulled wine.
The concert will be held at Holy Cross Church, Ashington Road, London SW6 3QA and tickets will be at the door at £12/£10 each.
All of 524 times since 1872!!
However it was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later.. Originally written for Easter the Messiah has also become strongly linked with the Christmas season. The 'Hallelujah’ chorus is one of the most famous pieces of Baroque choral music and the most widely known section of the work.
The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible and the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer and is a reflection of Jesus as the Messiah.
In Part 1 the text begins with the prophecies by Isaiah and others and moves to the angels announcing his birth to the shepherds. In Part 2 Handel concentrates on the Passion and ends with the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus.
In Part 3 he covers the resurrection of Christ from the dead and his ascension into heaven.
Interestingly Handel composed the entire Messiah at breakneck speed, in just 24 days without getting much sleep or food.
The Messiah was close to Handel’s heart and as the story goes, his reply to a nobleman who congratulated him on the ‘entertainment’ was “ My Lord I should be sorry if I only entertained them. I wished to make them better”.
Our Christmas concert will be held on Sunday 12th December at 6.00 pm singing Handel’s Messiah by candlelight, plus audience carols and mulled wine.
The concert will be held at Holy Cross Church, Ashington Road, London SW6 3QA and tickets will be at the door at £12/£10 each.