September 14: Hallelujah
On 14 September 1741, German composer George Frideric Handel completed his oratorio, the Messiah. The libretto for the oratorio had been compiled by Charles Jennens. The Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on the 13 April 1742. Handel had initially made his fame writing Italian operas, but around 1737 he began to write in English.
Operas and oratorios are similar. However, an opera is dramatic theater where characters interact with each other. They are also known for their elaborate costumes and sets as well as stories taken from history. Oratorios are not staged in the same was as an opera. Instead, they are more choral pieces in which the performers do not interact with each other. Themes are typically taken from Biblical or other religious sources. The difference between operas and oratorios can be seen by viewing an excerpt from Julius Caesar (opera) and “The Hallelujah Chorus” from the Messiah (oratorio).
“The Hallelujah Chorus” has become a popular Christmas song in the United States. However, it has nothing to do with the Christmas season. Instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus, Handel is celebrating the resurrection that is now commemorated on Easter Sunday.
Seventy three years later and across the pond from where Handel was writing, on 14 September 1814, while watching the British bombardment of Fort McHenry Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the “Defense of Ft. McHenry.” This poem was later set to music and became known as “The Star Spangled Banner.” In 1931, “The Star Spangled Banner” became the official national Anthem of the United States of America.
- –Steven L. Berg, PhD
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Photo Caption: George Frideric Handel. (top) Francis Scott Key portrait attributed to Joseph Wood (c. 1825).
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Though I’m a music lover, I never realized that a popular Christmas favorite was originally an oratorio written for Easter. It made me interested in researching other famous oratorios written in early modern historical times and learning about their original meanings, as well. I found that Joseph Haydn’s “The Creation” was written between 1796 and 1798 and was inspired by the book of Genesis and celebrates the creation of the world. It was the longest period of time he had ever spent on a piece and believed that it would be worth it because it would last for a long time. Now, I’m going to study passages of Scripture listening to these pieces! I’m interested to listen for the original inspirations.