La obra se compuso en Londres, en 1741, con una extraordinaria rapidez (tres semanas). La costumbre vincula esta obra a la Navidad, pero no hay que olvidar que este oratorio no sólo trata del nacimiento de Jesús, sino de toda su vida. Unos meses después de ser compuesta, la obra se estrenó en Irlanda, durante un viaje de Händel, pero el gran estreno no llegó hasta 1742, en el New Music Hall de Dublín para un concierto benéfico.
Fue el libretista Charles Jennens quien compuso el texto de la oratoria, formado tan solo por fragmentos bíblicos. Jennens presentó la obra como si fuese una ópera, dividiéndola en tres actos subdivididos en escenas.
La primera parte tiene por tema el Adviento y la Navidad. Se anuncia la venida de Cristo, por lo que nos encontramos con algunos momentos de exaltación marcados de una gran intensidad expresiva.
La segunda parte ilustra la Pasión, la Resurrección y la Ascensión finalizando con el famoso "Hallelujah". Así pues, la segunda parte, que había empezado en el dolor y la tristeza de la Pasión, se llena de júbilo con el "Hallelujah" arropado por el coro, trompetas y timbales. En la tercera, se relata la victoria de Cristo ante la muerte, el juicio final y la palabra "Amen", que corona la obra.
Exceptuando la "Sinfonía" inicial, a modo de obertura o introducción, y la "Pifa", que celebra el nacimiento de Cristo, ambas para orquesta, la obra es una sucesión de arias con algún arioso y algún duetto, recitativos y coros.
Se puede decir que la oratoria de Händel aún siendo sencilla, destaca por su monumentalidad en cuanto a duración y proporciones sonoras.
Selección del Messiah, J.F.Handel
Academia y coros de San Martín en los Campos
Director Sir. Neville Marriner
Point Theatre. Dublin, 1992
6. Chorus
(Malachi 3:3)
And He shall purify the sons of Levi,
that they may offer unto the Lord
an offering in righteousness.
7. Recitative (Alto)
(Isaiah 7:14)
(Matthew 1:23)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear
a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.
"God with us".
8. Aria (Alto)
(Isaiah 40:9)
O thou, that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain;
O thou, that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up,
be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah,
Behold your God!
(Isaiah 60:1)
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and
the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
9. Chorus
(Isaiah 40:9)
O thou, that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain;
O thou, that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up,
be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah,
Behold your God!
(Isaiah 60:1)
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and
the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
12. Chorus
(Isaiah 9:6)
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son
is given: and the government shall be upon
His shoulder: and His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace.
13. Pastoral Symphony
14. Recitative (Soprano)
(Luke 2:8-9)
There were shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid.
(Luke 2:10-11)
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people. For unto
you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:13)
And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host, praising
God, and saying:
15. Chorus
(Luke 2:14)
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth,
goodwill toward men!
18. Aria (Soprano)
(Isaiah 40:11)
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd:
He shall gather the lambs with His arm,
and carry them in His bosom, and shall
gently lead those that are with young.
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Come unto Him, all ye that labour and
are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him;
for He is meek and lowly of heart: and ye
shall find rest unto your souls.
17a. Recitative (Alto)
(Isaiah 35:5-6)
Then shall the eyes of the...
18a. Duo (Soprano and Alto)
(Isaiah 40:11)
He shall feed His flock ...
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Come unto Him, all ye that ...
19. Chorus
(Matthew 11:30)
His yoke is easy, His burthen is light.
20. Chorus
(John 1:29)
Behold the Lamb of God,
that taketh away the sin of the world.
22. Chorus
(Isaiah 50:6)
Surely He hath borne our griefs, and
carried our sorrows; He was wounded for
our transgressions, He was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace
was upon Him.
23. Chorus
(Isaiah 53:5)
And with His stripes we are healed.
24. Chorus
(Isaiah 53:6)
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own
way; and the Lord hath laid on Him
the iniquity of us all.
25. Recitative (Tenor)
(Psalms 22:7)
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn:
they shoot out their lips, and shake their
heads, saying,
26. Chorus
(Psalms 22:8)
He trusted in God that He would
deliver Him: let Him deliver Him,
if He delight in Him.
33. Chorus
(Hebrews 1:6)
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
34. Aria (Alto)
(Psalms 68:18)
Thou art gone up on high,
Thou hast led captivity captive
and received gifts for men;
yea, even for Thine enemies rebellious also,
that the Lord God might dwell among them.
35. Chorus
(Psalms 68:11)
The Lord gave the word: great was
the company of the preachers.
36. Aria (Soprano)
(Romans 10:15)
How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things!
38. Aria (Bass)
(Psalms 2:1-2)
Why do the nations so furiously rage
together, why do the people imagine a
vain thing? The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together, against
the Lord, and against His anointed.
39. Chorus (Psalms 2:3) Let us break their bonds asunder, and cast away their yokes from us.
The English Concert
Director: Trevor Pinnock
42. Chorus (Revelation 19:6) Hallelujah, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, Hallelujah! (Revelation 11:15) The Kingdom of this world is become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever, Hallelujah! (Revelation 19:16) King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and He shall reign for ever and ever, Hallelujah!51. Chorus (Revelation 5:12-14) Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by His blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 52 Chorus Amen.
