The Classical Music Minute

Handel's Messiah: 'Tis The Season…Or Is It?

December 19, 2022 Steven Hobé, Composer & Host Season 1 Episode 91
The Classical Music Minute
Handel's Messiah: 'Tis The Season…Or Is It?
Show Notes Transcript

Description
The holiday season wouldn’t be marked without a rousing rendition of Handel’s Messiah. But was that its original intent? Take a minute to get the scoop!

Enjoy BBC Proms: Handel's Messiah – 'Rejoice greatly' with Trinidadian Soprano Jeanine De Bique. Amazing! ℅ YouTube

Fun Fact
In the 1730s, the emotional and financial toll of producing operas, as well as changing audience tastes, contributed to Handel's growing interest in sacred oratorios—which required neither elaborate scenery nor foreign stars—including, eventually, Messiah. "With oratorios, Handel could be more his own master," says Keates.

About Steven, Host
Steven is a Canadian composer living in Toronto. He creates a range of works, with an emphasis on the short-form genre—his muse being to offer the listener both the darker and more satiric shades of human existence. If you're interested, please check out his website for more. Member of the Canadian League Of Composers.
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The holiday season wouldn’t be marked without a rousing rendition of Handel’s Messiah.

In fact it only took him 24 days to create the piece. He also originally conceived this as a work for Easter.

The premiere of Messiah took place in Dublin, Ireland,, in April 1742. 

The audience swelled to a record 700 people, and it's said that ladies were asked to wear dresses "without Hoops" in order to make for more. Handel certainly had superstar status at that time. He called upon a humble 30 singers and a similar-sized orchestra. 

Yet, over the years, the numbers have ever increased. At a festival in Westminster Abbey marking the 25th anniversary of the composer’s death in 1784, there was a 300-strong choir and orchestra.

The Handel Festivals staged at the Crystal Palace from the 1850s drew on 4,000 singers and an orchestra of 500 musicians. Wow!

The Messiah has not lacked for popularity over time, with its message of universal joy and optimism.