12 Tremendous Composers 12 Composers    

Lesson 3: Messiah

by George Frideric Handel

Performer: Orchestra Gli Armonici

Directions

Study the musical selection for one week.

Over the week:

• Listen to the music daily.
• Read the synopsis.
• Review the vocabulary terms.
• Read about the composer.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

'Messiah' is an oratorio written by George Frideric Handel. As it is an oratorio, it is similar to an opera, but has no costumes, acting, or scenery. 'Messiah' celebrates the role of Christianity's Jesus Christ as God's Messiah. The lyrics cover prophecies related to the coming of Jesus, his death, and his resurrection. According to [3], 'Messiah' is one of the 'best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.'

Vocabulary

Messiah: The one who is ordained by God to lead the people of Israel, believed by Christians and Muslims to be Jesus Christ.
Oratorio: A musical composition, often based on a religious theme and similar to opera but with no costume, scenery or acting.
Hallelujah: An exclamation used in songs of praise or thanksgiving to God.
Naturalize: To grant citizenship to someone not born a citizen of a country.

Composer

1. Once again, George Handel visited his native land. On returning to England, which was to be his home for the future, he was asked by a wealthy gentleman, the Duke of Chandos, to become composer at the ducal residence. Handel accepted this offer and composed much beautiful music. Handel was much beloved in England and was received at court.

2. George Handel had tried hard to please the English public as an opera composer, and the disappointment of his failure caused him a severe illness from which he suffered greatly. He lived to write some of the loveliest music the world possesses.
3. Perhaps the most famous of all his oratorios is the Messiah. When this was sung for the first time in London the king and all present rose at the words, 'For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth'. Thus, came the custom of rising at the singing of the Hallelujah Chorus.
4. George Handel loved England and became a naturalized British subject. He had a house in London, which in those days must have been considered a very fine one. He was very fond of gathering bodies of musicians together. Here he is in a familiar group.

5. A great lover of children, George Handel once conducted the Messiah for the benefit of a hospital for little children, to which he gave large sums.
6. Toward the end of his life, George Handel became blind. Someone had to lead him to the organ loft, where, with his wonderful skill, he could still charm and delight.
7. The last appearance that George Handel made in public was to conduct the Messiah. See the blind Handel being led to the organ.

8. A few days later, on Good Friday, April 13, 1759, George Handel passed away. The English people loved and admired him so much that he was buried in Westminster Abbey. This is Westminster Abbey, a famous royal church located in the heart of London, capital of the United Kingdom.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Composition Information

• Recite the name of the composer and the composition.

Activity 2: Study the Music Timeline

Examine the music timeline to answer the following questions.

• What is the year of birth of the lesson composer?
• What is the year of death of the featured composer?
• How old was the composer upon death?
• Which composer (if any) directly precedes the studied composer by date of birth?
• Which composer (if any) directly succeeds the lesson composer by date of birth?
• Which other timeline composers were alive at the same time as the studied composer?

Activity 3: Map the Music

• George Frideric Handel died in London, England (the United Kingdom).
• Find London on the map of the United Kingdom.

Activity 4: Read Aloud Your Paper About George Frideric Handel

• Read your one-page story about George Frideric Handel to your family.
• Make any corrections, as needed, after reading the paper aloud.

Review

Question 1

Of which country did George Handel become a citizen?

1 / 3

Answer 1

Handel loved England and became a naturalized British subject.

1 / 3

Question 2

Where was George Handel buried?

2 / 3

Answer 2

Handel was buried in Westminster Abbey in London, England.

2 / 3

Question 3

What form of music is the 'Messiah?'

3 / 3

Answer 3

'Messiah' is an oratorio.

3 / 3

❮ ❯

1. Of which country did George Handel become a citizen? Handel loved England and became a naturalized British subject.
2. Where was George Handel buried? Handel was buried in Westminster Abbey in London, England.
3. What form of music is the 'Messiah?' 'Messiah' is an oratorio.

References

Tapper, Thomas. Handel - The Story of a Little Boy Who Practiced in an Attic Philadelphia, PA. Theodore Presser Co., 1916.

'George Frideric Handel.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Messiah (Handel).' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.