(++) The Messiah (1742 Haendel / Jennens), oratorio

The Messiah (1742) is an oratorio by Georg Frideric Haendel (mus.) and Charles Jennens (libr.).

Abstract

One of the most popular fictional works on Jesus, still widely performed.

Editions, translations

Premiered at Fishamble St. in Dublin, Ireland.

Printed score (Hamburg, Germany: 1889-92).

Synopsis

Part I

"The prophecy and realisation of God's plan to redeem mankind by the coming of the Messiah"

Scene 1: "Isaiah's prophecy of salvation" (movements 2–4)

Scene 2: "The prophecy of the coming of Messiah and the question, despite (1), of what this may portend for the World" (movements 5–7)

Scene 3: "The prophecy of the Virgin Birth" (movements 8–12)

Scene 4: "The appearance of the Angels to the Shepherds" (movements 13–17)

Scene 5: "Christ's redemptive miracles on earth" (movements 18–21)

Part II

"The accomplishment of redemption by the sacrifice of Christ, mankind's rejection of God's offer, and mankind's utter defeat when trying to oppose the power of the Almighty"

Scene 1: "The redemptive sacrifice, the scourging and the agony on the cross" (movements 22–30)

Scene 2: "His sacrificial death, His passage through Hell and Resurrection" (movements 31–32)

Scene 3: "His ascension" (movement 33)

Scene 4: "God discloses his identity in Heaven" (movements 34–35)

Scene 5: "Whitsun, the gift of tongues, the beginning of evangelism" (movements 36–39)

Scene 6: "The world and its rulers reject the Gospel" (movements 40–41)

Scene 7: "God's triumph" (movements 42–44)

Part III

"A Hymn of Thanksgiving for the final overthrow of Death"

Scene 1: "The promise of bodily resurrection and redemption from Adam's fall" (movements 45–46)

Scene 2: "The Day of Judgement and general Resurrection" (movements 47–48)

Scene 3: "The victory over death and sin" (movements 49–52)

Scene 4: "The glorification of the Messianic victim" (movement 53)

Biography

• Wikipedia