What the Dublin Journal said about the “MESSIAH"
Music news item prior to its premiere
"For relief of the Prisoners in the several Gaols, and for the support of Mercer's Hospital in Stephen's Street, and of the Charitable Infirmary on the Inns Quay, on Monday the 12th of April, will be performed at the Musick Hall on Fishamble Street Mr. Handel's new Grand Oratorio, call'd the MESSIAH, in which the Gentlemen of the Choirs of both Cathedreals will assist, with some Concertoes on the Organ, by Mr. Handell."
— Dublin Journal, 27 March, 1742
Actual review of the “Messiah”
"On Tuesday last [13 April, 1742] Mr. Handel's Sacred Grand Oratorio, the MESSIAH, was performed at the New Musick-Hall in Fishamble-street; the best Judges allowed it to be the most finished piece of Musick. Words are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crouded Audience. The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestick and moving Words composed to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear.
“It is but justice to Mr. Handel that the World should know, he generously gave the Money arising from this Grand Performance to be shared by the Society for relieving Prisoners, the Charitable Infirmary, and Mercer's Hospital, for which they will ever gratefully remember his Name.... There were about 700 people in the Room [built for 600] and the sum collected for that Noble and Pious Charity amounted to about 400l. out of which 127l. goes to each of the three great and pious Chairities."
— Dublin Journal, 17 April, 1742
NEWS RELEASEContact: Nation’s Top Music Critics Name Their Favorite “Messiah”SANTA BARBARA, CA (DECEMBER 23, 2006) Topping the list is the 1980 recording conducted by Christopher Hogwood, with soloists Emma Kirkby, Judith Nelson, Carolyn Watkinson, Paul Elliott and David Thomas. The orchestra is The Academy of Ancient Music, and the CD version was released on October 10, 1991 on Decca/L'Oiseau-Lyre. Several versions tied for second place, with an equal number of votes. They were:
Since these and more than 800 other recorded versions of Handel’s “Messiah” are available at Amazon.com alone, MAO conducted this survey, to help novice classical music lovers learn which are the most critically acclaimed, and to help Holiday shoppers make the most informed gift-giving decision possible. This, as part of its ongoing mission: to bring together musicians, scholars, educators, orchestras and ensembles, academic and other institutions, and vendors in order to provide music lovers with a completely unique online environment in which to foster and cultivate their appreciation for music. To learn more about the organization, visit www.musicacademyonline.com. Complete survey results are available by contacting MAO founder and president David Schwartz, PhD., at dave_schwartz@musicacademyonline.com. The purpose of the Music Critics Association of North America (MCANA) is to act as an educational medium for the promotion of high standards of music criticism in the press of the Americas, to hold meetings in which self-criticism and exchange of ideas will promote educational opportunities, and to increase general interest in the growing culture of the Americas. MCANA is a member of the National Music Council, which was formed in 1940 to provide a forum for the discussion of the country's national music affairs, to act as a clearing house for the joint operation and decisions of its members, and to work as a force to strengthen the importance of music in our society and culture. The Council has a membership of 50 national music organizations encompassing every form of professional and commercial music activity. To learn more, please visit www.mcana.org. |