Concert by the philharmonic choir

The work

George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" was composed in 1741 and is one of the most famous oratorios in music history. Handel composed the entire oratorio in just 24 days, which emphasises his immense creative power and musical genius. The third and final part of the work was completed on 14 September 1741. He was already an established composer, but also a man marked by workload, health breakdowns and the vicissitudes of life when he stayed in Dublin in 1741. It was at this time that he was approached by the librettist Charles Jennens with the idea of writing a work about the life and ministry of Christ. Despite Handel's mental and physical challenges, he found new energy and inspiration in working on "Messiah".

The premiere took place on 13 April 1742 in Dublin and was a great success. The performance in London the following year was received coolly, and even after changes in 1745, the work was not a success, so Handel withdrew it. It was not until 1749 that he ventured another performance, which was so successful that the "Messiah" still has a firm place in the repertoire of choirs and orchestras worldwide.

The work is not about selected episodes from the life of Jesus Christ, but a complete presentation from before the birth to the ascension. It is particularly interesting that the librettist Charles Jennens mainly uses prophetic texts from the Old Testament. However, his compilation of biblical texts also includes some verses from the New Testament. Handel's "Messiah" tells the story of the prophecy and birth of Jesus Christ, his suffering, death and resurrection as well as the Christian hope of redemption and eternal life in three parts. It begins with the announcement of the Messiah, leads through the Passion story and ends with the vision of Christ's final reign over the world. Handel's timeless music, combined with profound biblical texts, makes the "Messiah" an everlasting masterpiece. This is not church music in the strict sense, as the oratorio, despite its sacred subject matter, was conceived as "entertainment" of a universal nature; a "grand musical entertainment", as Jennens called it - and it has remained so to this day. It is a work that not only tells the story of Christ, but also touches and inspires the hearts and souls of its listeners.

Ticket information & advance booking

Admission
Category 1 (rows 1 - 5): VVK 25,00 EUR / 30,00 EUR box office
Category 2 (from row 6): Advance booking 20,00 EUR / 25,00 EUR box office
Reduced (only from row 6): Advance booking 15.00 EUR / 20.00 EUR box office

The discount applies to children and young people (up to the age of 18), schoolchildren and students, people doing federal voluntary service, severely disabled people with a "B" certificate, unemployed people and holders of the Herzogenauracher Tafel card, the herzoPASS and the Bavarian volunteer card. The respective proof must be presented at the entrance

Admission tickets can be purchased

• in advance at the Tourist Info, Marktplatz 11, Herzogenaurach
• at all Reservix advance booking offices
• Buy ticktes
• from 4.30 pm at the box office subject to availability