Introduction
George Frideric Handel’s Oratorio ‘Messiah’ tells the story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, entirely through quotations from the Bible. Its premiere was given in Dublin during the Lenten fast, and from the very beginning it touched hearts and changed lives.
MESSIAH is an Oratorio based on the life of Jesus Christ, with words (consisting entirely of cleverly arranged quotations from the Bible) by Charles Jennens, and music by George Frideric Handel.
It was first performed in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13th, 1742, with the proceeds donated to charity, securing the release of a hundred and forty-two inmates of a debtors’ prison.
Dublin loved it. One clergyman was so moved that after the aria ‘He was despisèd’ he leapt to his feet and cried out to the soloist, Susanna Cibber, "Woman, for this be all thy sins forgiven thee!".*
London was less enthusiastic. But Handel persisted, performing the work for an orphanage in the capital every year from 1750. Gradually, Messiah’s popularity increased, even abroad - in 1777, Mozart heard it in Mannheim - and since the Victorian era it has been a staple of professional choirs and amateur choral societies across Britain and the world.
Listen to ‘He was despisèd’ at YouTube. The clergyman was Dr Patrick Delany, chancellor of St Patrick’s Cathedral. Susannah was already becoming a celebrity actress, as popular as her brother Thomas Arne (best known today for his songs “Rule Britannia!” and “God Save the King”). It was no secret that Susannah’s abusive and debt-ridden husband, actor Theophilus Cibber, had twice taken her to court for adultery.
Related Video
Media not showing? Let me know!
Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
King of kings, and Lord of lords.
Hallelujah!
Précis
Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is an Oratorio, first performed in 1742, which sets to music a string of Biblical texts collected by Charles Jennens. From the premiere itself, proceeds went to charity; and though London was slow to appreciate the work, Handel’s patience and generosity have been rewarded, as his composition is now recognised as a masterpiece. (55 / 60 words)
Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is an Oratorio, first performed in 1742, which sets to music a string of Biblical texts collected by Charles Jennens. From the premiere itself, proceeds went to charity; and though London was slow to appreciate the work, Handel’s patience and generosity have been rewarded, as his composition is now recognised as a masterpiece.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, despite, if, just, must, ought, unless, who.
Archive
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Charity. Every. So.
2 Messiah. Perform. Society.
3 Clergyman. Donate. Foot.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Confusables Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that are similar to one another, but not exactly the same. Compose your own sentences to bring out the similarities and differences between them, whether in meaning, grammar or use.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
