Thursday Thirteen #13 ~ Handel’s Messiah

The Messiah, Handel’s most successful and best known oratorio, was composed in the 1741 in 24 days. It was first performed at a concert given at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland, on April 13th, 1742, Handel conducting in person. For more history of this first performance click here.

Here are thirteen lines from this amazing work…

1. “And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed”

2. “For He is like a refiner’s fire”

3. “and shall call his name Emmanuel: God with us”

4. “arise, shine, for thy light is come”

5. “For unto us a child is born unto us a son is given”

6. “and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.”

7.  “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

8. “He is the righteous Saviour and he shall speak peace unto the heathen”

9. “He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, and He shall gather the Lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom”

10. “Behold the Lamb of God, behold the lamb of God, That taketh away the sins of the world.”

11. “He was despised and rejected of men: a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.”

12. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of glory.”

13. “Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”

I’ve only seen the Messiah performed twice in person. If you never have you should put it on your list of things to do. It was an amazing experience. I hope to be able to enjoy a live performance again…

For more TT click here.

Ellen's avatar
About Ellenhttps://happywonderer.com/I am a wife, mother, baba (grandmother) and a loyal friend. Jesus is my King and my hope is in my future with Him.

57 thoughts on “Thursday Thirteen #13 ~ Handel’s Messiah”

  13. Wonderful mmusic. I hav enever heard it performed in its entirety. That, i’m sure, would be a real blessing!

    I just looked at your Russian Tea Cookie recipe. I believe I have had those–or something similar. Very good and they do melt in your mouth. I may hav eto give them a try. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  17. I used to sing this with my Dad every year. It’s an amazing work – and an amazing experience to sing. Thanks for the memory! I had no idea it was performed in Dublin by Handel. That St. Pats looks like St. Pat’s in Chicago. I wonder if they are similar….

    Happy TT!

    My TT is up A little kindness

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  21. There is a little museum in Dublin that boasts ownership of the very chair in which sat Handel during the first performance of Messiah. Some things are keepers.

    I hear this music and my mind boggles to think it was considered profane in its time. God bless this trailblazer!

    Thanks for this wonderful post.

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  22. I went to a Messiah Sing-in and it was wonderful. My favorite bit though was at the very beginning when you were shown to your seat. The usher asked our group, “Which section, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass or Applause?”

    Happy TT.

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  27. I used to belong to a chorus that performed it. Love oratorio generally, but this is still my favorite.

    Though my favorite Messiah selection is “And he shall purify the sons of Levi/that they may offer unto the Lord/an offering in righteousness.”

    Not so much because of the verse; I just love the eerie tune. But it would be really hard to choose.

    GREAT T13.

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  29. The Messiah is one of my favorite pieces. It is so moving and the music is amazing. Thanks for the reminder of the inspired words Handel wrote.
    Also, thank you for visiting my T13.

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  33. Oh ellen, how beautiful! What a wonderful post for the theme! The Messiah is one of my favorites to listen to at Christmastime! Thanks, ellen.

    Thanks for visiting me!

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  40. I have sung alto in the Hallelujah chorus perhaps dozens of times. I know it by heart and even the thought of it sends shivers up my spine.
    Truly this was an inspired work of art.

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  41. Big time congratulations… your TT got featured on the WordPress homepage! It happened to me last Thursday, now they are spreading the love in your direction. Mad kudos, I will grab a screenshot in case you miss it before it cycles off.

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  43. Very appropriate for this time of year. I’m not very familiar with the Messiah as I’m not a fan of classical music – but it sounds just right for the Christmas season. Happy TT!

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  51. Yes…it’s quite the experience. We heard it at the Mormon temple in Oakland—I’m not Mormon, but they have an amazing choir, and in fact there were choirs in the audience so it was like surround-sound. Amazing and beautiful.

    I have two TT13s this week:

    Better decluttering through TT13
    http://www.ravensroads.com/index.php/tt13-decluttering/

    http://www.ravensrv.com/thursday-thirteen-4-calistoga-california-for-rvers/
    Calistoga, California for RVers

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  54. It’s a shame – so many people have only ever heard portions of the Messiah – it’s a truly magnificent work in full – I love getting to hear my church choir perform it every Christmas season!! 🙂 Great TT – thanks for sharing!

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  56. Pingback: Thursday Thirteen #3: 13 Things about Lodi, California

  57. I was born in Dublin and have been to see/hear the Messiah being performed there. Wonderful experience! I can still remember my grandmother playing it almost incessantly coming up to Christmas, and saying “Isn’t that the most beautiful music?” Her favourite was “I know that my redeemer liveth”.

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