Handel wrote Messiah in about three weeks. Its first performance was a charity concert in Dublin in 1742

In the late summer of 1741, George Frideric Handel sat down with a text of Bible verses and wrote one of the most famous pieces of music in history. He finished it in about twenty-four days.

Handel, a German-born composer who had made his career in London, had been struggling. His Italian operas were falling out of fashion, and he was looking for new audiences. The text for Messiah was compiled by Charles Jennens, a wealthy patron, from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. It follows the life of Christ from prophecy to birth, passion, resurrection and final glory.

Dublin

Messiah was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742, at the new Musick Hall in Fishamble Street. The performance was a charity concert, raising money for prisoners held for debt and for hospitals. The demand for tickets was so great that ladies were asked not to wear hoops in their dresses and gentlemen not to wear swords, so more people could fit in.

The Hallelujah Chorus

The most famous section, the Hallelujah Chorus, closes the second part. Its words come from the Book of Revelation: “Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6), and “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (19:16).

Audiences traditionally stand for the chorus. The custom is often said to have begun when King George II stood during a London performance in 1743, but there is no contemporary evidence that he did.

Charity

Handel later gave annual performances of Messiah to benefit the Foundling Hospital in London, a home for abandoned children. The performances raised large sums, and Messiah became closely associated with charity.

Christmas and Easter

Although Messiah was first performed around Easter and covers the whole story of Christ, it has become a Christmas tradition in many countries, and “sing-along” Messiah performances fill concert halls in December.

In West Africa

The Hallelujah Chorus is a favourite of church choirs in Ghana and Nigeria. Choirs from the Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican and Catholic traditions perform it at Christmas, Easter, anniversaries and state occasions, often with brass bands and organ.

The words

Handel set the words of Scripture to music without adding his own. The result is a work that has been performed for nearly three centuries.

The first performance raised money to free men from debtors’ prisons. The music has been setting audiences on their feet ever since.