King of kings,

And Lord of lords,

And He shall reign forever and ever,

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without some timeless traditions, and few are as enduring as Handel’s Messiah. Whether you’ve attended every year to hear the ASO perform this holiday classic or you’re experiencing the grand spectacle for the very first time, we’re confident you already know this work. You’ve almost certainly sung along to parts of it! After all, the “Hallelujah” Chorus is among the most recognizable works of art in history, right alongside the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo’s David. It’s credited in over 500 films! So today, we’re not here to introduce this piece—you’ve met before. Instead, we offer a bit of insight into how this unforgettable work was created, the composer behind it, and how it became such a lasting part of the Christmas season.

Who was George Friedrich Handel?

Handel composed some of the most well-known music of the Baroque era, but the sheer fame of his works has somewhat overshadowed the man himself. Today, he’s less of a household name than Bach or Vivaldi, although his music remains widely recognized. Handel was actually born in the same year as Bach—1685—in Germany, but he led a much more international life. He spent his childhood in Hamburg but received much of his musical training in Italy before establishing his career in London. He eventually became a naturalized British citizen and is often considered more an English composer than a German one.

After settling in London, Handel became a favored composer of the British crown, creating a great deal of ceremonial music for royal events. You may know works like Water Music, composed for King George I and performed by musicians floating in boats on the River Thames. Handel produced many pieces for such celebrations and, as a result, gained significant popularity and fame during his lifetime—a rare achievement for any artist.

What type of music did he compose?

Handel is renowned for three main achievements: his music for grand public celebrations (such as Water Music or The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba), his monumental oratorios like Messiah, and his highly successful operas. All of these share a sense of spectacle, something Handel was particularly skilled at creating. He had an exceptional instinct for drama and impact; as Mozart observed, “Handel understands effect better than any of us—when he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.”

How did Messiah come about?

In the years before composing Messiah, Handel mainly focused on composing Italian opera, which for decades was considered the highest form of musical art in Europe. But by the 1740s, opera started to fall out of fashion. It was very costly to produce (as it still is), and aristocratic support was decreasing. So, Handel decided to shift his focus to music that could be enjoyed by the general public.

The idea for the Messiah was brought to him by his collaborator, the librettist Charles Jennens. Jennens was a writer and arts patron who, in addition to his work with Handel, authored several influential critical editions of Shakespeare plays.

Once Handel received the text, he completed the Messiah in just 24 days. It was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, during a public charity event that raised funds for prisoners’ debt relief, Mercer’s Hospital, and the Charitable Infirmary. The performance was so popular that a request was made for women not to wear hoops in their skirts to make sure there was enough space.

What is an Oratorio?

An oratorio is a large-scale work for chorus, soloists, and orchestra that features a dramatic or narrative arc. Similar to opera, it tells a story through music, but unlike opera, it lacks staging, costumes, or acting. Oratorios are almost always centered on religious or liturgical texts, and although secular oratorios exist—such as Handel’s The Choice of Hercules—they are quite rare.

Was the Messiah written for Christmas?

No. The Messiah was originally written for Easter and was premiered during Lent.

So, how did it become a Christmas tradition?

We hope this doesn’t disappoint too many, but like many of our cherished traditions, the story of Messiah becoming a Christmas staple primarily comes down to marketing. Messiah sold tickets and drew crowds, so it started being used for various holidays and celebrations. Then, in the late 1800s, a mix of commercialization, Victorian focus on family, and popular works like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol turned Christmas from a modest observance into the major holiday we celebrate today. In the United States, for instance, Christmas was made a federal holiday in 1870, just as this shift was taking shape. In short, Christmas became more profitable and a part of mainstream culture, giving Messiah a new place.

Some notable performances

Messiah was an immediate success in Britain and received repeated performances right after its premiere. In fact, the last time Handel attended a performance of his music before his death was of Messiah at Covent Garden in 1759.

Messiah had its American debut on Christmas Day in 1818, performed by the Boston Handel and Haydn Society.

The “Hallelujah” Chorus was performed at the Grand Jubilee Concert honoring Abraham Lincoln singing the Emancipation Proclamation on New Year’s Day, 1863.

Starting in 1750, Handel conducted yearly performances to raise funds for the Foundling Hospital, a tradition that lasted until the hospital was demolished in 1935.

Where did the tradition of standing during the “Hallelujah” chorus come from?

The story is that during a performance in London, King George II was so moved by the famous “Hallelujah” Chorus that he couldn’t help but stand, and the rest of the audience followed suit. Unfortunately, we don’t have concrete evidence that this actually happened, but it’s such a great story that we can let it slide. If you are similarly moved, please stand when we reach the beloved chorus.

—-Notes by Valerie Sly, 2025