The Messiah

Southland Times, Issue 14816, 18 December 1900, Page 2

The Messiah

This evening the Invorcargill Musical Union will again present the Messiah, and the music-loving portion of the community are looking forward to an interpretation of this glorious work, that will equal if not surpass any of the previous efforts of the Union. A few notes on the Messiah and its creator should be read with interest. Handel possessed an inexhaustible fund of melody of the noblest order ; an almost unequalled command of musical expression ; perfect power over all the resources of his science ; tlio faculty of wielding huge masses of tone with perfect ease and felicity ; and he was without rival in the sublimity of ideas. The problem which he so successfully solved in the oratorio was that of giving such dramatic force to the music in which he clothed the sacred texts as to be able to dispense with all scenic and etage effects. One of the finest operatic composers of the time, the rival of Bach as an instrumental composer and performer ou the harpsichord or organ, the unanimous verdict of the musical world is that no one ever equalled him in completeness, range of effect, elevation and variety of conception, and sublimity in the treatment of sacred music. While writing the Messiah Handel was quite lifted out of himself by the sublimity of the theme. His music ofteii'aiTected him deeply and the valet »vho used to take up his morning chocolate, said ho often stood silently on one side while his master went on writing rapidly, the tears rolling down his cheeks and wetting the paper. A friend who called and was admitted while he was composing tlie music for " Ho was Despised," found him much affected and sobbing audibly ; and when another friend asked him what feelings prompted him to so suhlinio & composition, he answered, " I did think I div see all heaven before me, and the great God himself." The Messiah was, it is generally believed, first performed in Dublin, for in 1 the autnmn of 1741 Handel, at the invitation of the Duke of Devonshire, M'ent over to Ireland and the principal members of his company followed him. He reached Dublin on the 18th of November and took up his abode in Abbey street, and as ( . soon as bis singers arrived arranged to give his 1 "Musical Entertainments" in the Music ■ Hall in Fishamble street, then newly built. ; It held about '600 persons, and the' tickets were half a giiinea each. Here the Lord ! Lieutenant and his family camo night after ' night to listen to L' Allegro, Either <h« Ode, 1 concertos, and all the organ music Handel chose to play. The Messiah was produced for the very first time in this hall on tho 1 13 th of April for tho benefit of three charitable object h, the relief of the prisoners in the citj r guols, and the support of Mercer's Hospital and the infirmary on the Inn's Quay. A notice wa.s issucil requesting lii'lio.M to t'oma without their hoops, and gentlemen without their swords, as these omissions would enable the stewards to find seats for seven instead of six hundred persons. When tho new oratorio was performed it fairly took Dublin by storm, tho newspapers could not find words in which to express tho delight it gave, and everyone was charmed except the compiler of the words, Mr Jonuens, who did not think Handel had done himself or his subject justice. Mrs Cibber sang the touching air "He was Despised," so beautifully that Handel thenceforth wrote most of his contralto parts for her. So great was the sensation produced when j the Messiah was performed for the first time on March 23rd, 1743, at Covont Garden, London, that when the "Hallelujah chorus" was reached, the King and all the audience rose (it the same moment, and stood thrilled with omotion till it was over, a custom which has been continued ever since. A few days later Lord Kinoull complimented Handel on the oratorio, calling it "a noble entertain- ■ ment for tlio town. "My Lord," was the answer, " I should be sorry if I only entertained thorn. 1 wish to make them better." The great man died ou Good Friday night, 1759, aged 75 years, He had often wished " ho might breathe his last on Good Friday, in hope, " ho said, of meeting his good God, his sweet Lord and Saviour, on the day. of his resurrection.'' Tho old blind mubician had his wish.