History of Handel and The Messiah

The life of George Frideric Handel was one filled with hardship, yet it was through these times of difficulty that Handel was able to create one of the greatest musical masterpieces of all time.

It was in 1741 that he was at such a low point, perhaps the lowest point of his life. Mounting debts and failing health forced him to think he should retire. He was preparing to give his farewell concert. Then something happened. A friend, Charles Jennings, gave him a libretto based upon the life of Christ. As he read the lyrics, which were all straight from the Bible, he was filled with inspiration. For twenty-four straight days in April he hardly ate or drank as he filled page after page with music. He was filled with such intensity of emotion as he wrote that the story has been frequently told that his servant found him weeping just after he finished the Hallelujah Chorus, exclaiming, “I did think I did see all heaven before me and the great God Himself.” Later, as he attempted to describe what he experienced as he wrote Messiah, he quoted the Apostle Paul, “Whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote it I know not.”
 
The rest, as we say, is history. However, there is one more bit of wonderful history from the story of the Messiah that is worth noting. Most of the Messiah performances that Handel conducted during his lifetime were for charity, which has led one biographer to conclude: “Messiah has fed the hungry, clothed the naked, fostered the orphan...more than any other single musical production in this or any country.” In a small way, God was pleased to use this musical masterpiece that honored his Son in order to continue the work of his Son. Such is the marvelous providence of God.

The Messiah continued to play a special part in Handel’s life until his very death. It was the last performance of his music that he conducted, even though at this point he was nearly blind. Shortly before he died, he expressed the wish I have quoted at the beginning of this article, that he could die on Good Friday. His wish was fulfilled, and he died on April 14, 1759. He was buried in Westminster Abbey. Above his grave was placed a statue of himself holding a manuscript. On it were written the words, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” Indeed Handel did know, and he was already joining in a mighty Hallelujah Chorus with the angels and saints on high.