Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. A Biblical Study of Handel s Messiah

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Luke Perkins
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1 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God A Biblical Study of Handel s Messiah

Handel was a German born in Halle in 1685. When he was old enough, because he wanted to compose opera, he moved to Italy at the invitation of the D Medici family.

2 Handel was a German born in Halle in When he was old enough, because he wanted to compose opera, he moved to Italy at the invitation of the D Medici family. But unfortunately for him, the Pope had banned opera at that time. (Eventually the ban was lifted). In the beginnings of the 18th century there was much ferment and furor over what counted as sacred music and what counted as secular music. Handel got caught in the crossfire to some extent. Discouraged with the musical situation in Italy, Handel moved first to Germany and then to England in 1712 and by 1727 had become a naturalized citizen of the British realm.

3 Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel With a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. Handel wrote the original version of Messiah in three to four weeks.

4 An Oratorio is a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme, performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action.

5 Part I - Part II - Part III - Part IV - Part V - Part VI - Israel s Longing for a Messiah The Birth of the Messiah The Messiah s Public Ministry The Messiah s Paschal Mystery The Messiah s Mission to the Ends of the Earth The Messiah s Second Coming (the Eschaton)

6 Part I - Israel s Longing for a Messiah Scene 1: The Proclamation of God s Will to Save Us 1. Sinfony 2. Comfort ye my people 3. Ev'ry valley shall be exalted 4. And the glory of the Lord Scene 2: Concerns and Reassurance 5. Thus saith the Lord of hosts 6. But who may abide the day of His coming 7. And he shall purify the sons of Levi Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth 8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive 9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion 10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth 11. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light 12. For unto us a child is born

7 Part II - The Birth of the Messiah 13. Pifa ( Pastoral symphony ) 14a. There were shepherds abiding in the fields 14b. And lo, the angel of the Lord 15. And the angel said unto them 16. And suddenly there was with the angel 17. Glory to God in the highest

8 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry 18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion 19. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened 20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd 21. His yoke is easy

9 Scene 1: Prophecies of salvation

10 Scene 1: Prophecies of salvation Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness; prepare ye the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. (Isaiah 40: 1-3)

11 Scene 1: Prophecies of salvation Ev'ry valley shall be exalted, and ev'ry mountain and hill made low; the crooked straight and the rough places plain. (Isaiah 40: 4)

12 Scene 1: Prophecies of salvation And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. (Isaiah 40: 5)

13 Scene 2: Concerns and Reassurance

14 Scene 2: Concerns and Reassurance Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts: Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations; and the desire of all nations shall come. (Haggai 2: 6-7)

15 Scene 2: Concerns and Reassurance The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in; behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.(malachi 3: 1)

16 Scene 2: Concerns and Reassurance But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner's fire. (Malachi 3: 2)

17 Scene 2: Concerns and Reassurance And He shall purify the sons of Levi, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. (Malachi 3: 3)

18 Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth

19 Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us. (Isaiah 7: 14; Matthew 1: 23)

20 Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion, get thee up into the high mountain. O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! (Isaiah 40: 9) Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. (Isaiah 60: 1)

21 Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isaiah 60: 2-3)

22 Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9: 2)

23 Scene 3: The prophecy of Messiah s birth For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9: 6)

24 Part II The Birth of the Messiah

25 Part II The Birth of the Messiah There were shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flocks by night. (Lk 2: 8)

26 Part II The Birth of the Messiah And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2: 9)

27 Part II The Birth of the Messiah And the angel said unto them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2: 10-11)

28 Part II The Birth of the Messiah And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying: (Luke 2: 13)

29 Part II The Birth of the Messiah "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will towards men." (Luke 2: 14)

30 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry

31 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, thy King cometh unto thee; He is the righteous Savior, and He shall speak peace unto the heathen. (Zecharaiah 9: 9-10)

32 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing. (Isaiah 35: 5-6)

33 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40: 11)

34 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry Come unto Him, all ye that labor, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11: 28-29)

35 Part III The Messiah s Public Ministry His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. (Matthew 11: 30)

Georg Friedrich Händel MESSIAH A Sacred Oratorio, words by Charles Jennens ACT ONE. DARKNESS TO LIGHT 1. Sinfony

Georg Friedrich Händel MESSIAH A Sacred Oratorio, words by Charles Jennens ACT ONE DARKNESS TO LIGHT 1. Sinfony 2. Comfort ye (Accompagnato: Tenor) Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak