Handel’s Messiah

Handel’s Messiah is one of the most beloved and enduring works in Christian musical history. Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, the oratorio draws its entire text from the Bible and tells the story of Jesus Christ through music. From its very first performance, it captured the imagination of audiences and became deeply associated with Christian worship and celebration. The oratorio was composed in just 24 days, a remarkable feat for a work of such complexity and length. Handel worked from a libretto prepared by Charles Jennens, a devout Anglican who selected passages from the King James Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. The scriptural texts were arranged to reflect the narrative arc of Christ’s life—from prophecy and birth to death and resurrection, and finally to his eternal reign.