Handel, Messiah

Listen to Händel's Messiah, a masterpiece of choral music, at St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.

The piece is still one of the most popular examples of sacred music today. Beginning in the first part with the Old Testament prophecies of the prophets, the second part tells the life of Jesus, his birth, his death on the cross - as the fulfilment of the prophecies - and in the third part with the resurrection, the entire story of salvation in the Messiah.

The great English choral tradition provided Handel with significant inspiration for the choral setting and so here too the chorus plays the main part in the events, whereas arias and recitatives tend to take a more subordinate role. The tremendous build-up of the Hallelujah became a real sacred "popular tune" and still moves every listener today as it did at the first performance in Dublin in 1742.

The work was prepared by the Sing Along! Festival Choir in workshops lasting several days under the direction of David Wordsworth. The Vienna Cathedral Orchestra and renowned soloists will also be on stage.

Program and cast

G. F. Händel: Messiah (HWV 56)

100 Minutes, no intermission

Sing Along! Festival Choir
Vienna Cathedral Orchestra

David Wordsworth, conductor