Göteborgs Konserthus Händels Messiah

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Händel’s “Messiah” is one of music history’s most beloved and often-performed oratorios. The oratorio is based on a series of stories from the Old and New Testaments, each depicted with baroque transparency and brilliance. Among them: the famous Hallelujah chorus.

“Messiah” was first performed April 13, 1742 in Dublin – then with a choir of only 26 boys and five male soloists – and a year later it was London’s turn. The work was a success and contributed greatly to making oratorios popular in Europe. The “Messiah” happened to be the last concert Händel himself visited before his death in 1759.

The work was immensely popular; for example, at the 100th anniversary of Händel’s birth it was performed at Westminster Abbey by 500 choristers. Over the years, Händel added or altered movements to better suit the voices of various virtuoso soloists, the result being that a complete “Messiah” including all of these would contain 68 movements and take 2 hours 30 minutes to perform. Nowadays, some of the movements are usually omitted at concerts. Most performances in England are comprised of Part 1 and 2, ending with the iconic Hallelujah chorus.

We have chosen the same presentation for our concert, with 200 singers in a four-part choir, full orchestra and four internationally active opera soloists in the country’s best concert hall – a musical experience you should not miss!

Programme

Händels Messias, Part 1    55 min

Intermission                         25 min

Händels Messias, Part 2    55 min

Participants

Finn Rosengren conductor

Göteborgs Konsertkör blandad kör