HANDEL'S MESSIAH will forever have a place in the hearts and minds of Irish classical music enthusiasts as the work was premiered in Ireland, being performed as a charity fundraiser in Fishamble Street Hall, Dublin, in April 1742.
Music for Galway will present Messiah in the Galway Cathedral on Saturday December 8 at 7.30pm, featuring an outstanding line-up of Irish Baroque Orchestra, RESURGAM chamber choir, director Robert Hollingworth, Anna Devin (soprano ), William Purefoy (countertenor ), Dean Power (tenor ), and Alex Ashworth (baritone ).
Handel wrote Messiah in 24 days. The libretto was composed by English landowner and patron of the arts Charles Jennens. Handel received the text in July 1741 and began work on it on August 22. Part I was completed in outline by August 28, Part II by September 6, and Part III by September 12, and over the following two days he put the finishing touches to the work.
At the end of the manuscript Handel wrote SDG" - Soli Deo Gloria (To God alone the glory ). This inscription, taken with the speed of composition, has encouraged belief that Handel wrote the music in a fervour of divine inspiration.
Tickets are available from Music For Galway (www.musicforgalway.ie, 091 - 705962 ) or from O’Maille’s Original House of Style, Shop Street.
