Charles Jennens, a devout Protestant and amateur musician, compiled the libretto for Messiah from Scripture, believing it would communicate Christian doctrine through Handel's music.
Composition History
Handel composed the entire oratorio Messiah in just three weeks, drafting 100 sides of ten-stave paper in the first six days.
Performer Biography
Christopher Purves, the bass-baritone on this recording, studied English at King's College, Cambridge, and was a member of the rock and roll group Harvey and the Wallbangers before his classical career.
Notable Performances
Messiah premiered in Dublin on April 13, 1742, with Handel and his principal performers giving their services free for the benefit of three local charities.
Composer Biography
Handel, the composer, became the first completely independent major composer in history, acting as his own concert promoter, finance director, fixer, and conductor.
Cultural Impact
Messiah became an established favorite in England when Handel began performing it for charity, particularly at Captain Coram's Foundling Hospital, to which he later bequeathed a manuscript score.
Critical Reception
The London premiere of Messiah was met with objections from the press regarding the sacred text being performed in a theatre, a place associated with 'low-life actors'.
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