From 1750 onwards, Handel performed Messiah annually for the Foundling Hospital, a charity for abandoned children, which helped change public sentiment towards the work.
Critical Reception
Early London performances of Messiah in 1743 were met with objections from a 'moral minority' who disapproved of biblical texts being sung in a theatre.
Notable Performances
Messiah was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, at a charity concert, receiving rapturous applause.
Composition History
Charles Jennens, the librettist, first approached Handel with the idea for Messiah, providing the complete text for the work.
Interpretation
Handel frequently adapted Messiah for annual performances, resulting in ten authoritative versions but no single definitive way to perform it.
Composition History
Handel composed the music for Messiah in a remarkably short period of just three weeks in the late summer of 1741.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The libretto for Messiah, compiled by Charles Jennens, uses biblical verses to allude to Christ's life and work, rather than telling a dramatic story with specific characters.
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