It was on this day in 1741 that George Frideric Handel completed what has become his best-known and best-loved composition, Messiah. He had begun composing it only 24 days earlier.
The oratorio, which tells the story of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, was composed in London but received its first performance in Dublin. The debut took place on April 13, 1742 before an audience of 700. To accommodate such a large crowd, ladies were asked to remove the hoops from their skirts and gentlemen were asked to leave their swords at home. Proceeds from the concert amounted to about £400, which Handel donated to three charities: Prisoners’ Debt Relief, the Mercer’s Hospital, and the Charitable Infirmary.
The most famous number from Messiah, “Hallelujah,” has long been a favorite of musicians, choirs, and music lovers around the world, and in recent years has become a staple for flash mob performances as well. Many such performances of “Hallelujah” are available on YouTube, but this one from a couple of years ago remains my favorite for its artistic excellence, the infectious spirit and joy of the performers, and the priceless reactions of the spectators.