




GREAT BEND CHORALE
MATTHEW MELENDEZ, DIRECTOR
HANDEL “Messiah”
Part One
1. Overture
2. Accompagnato | Comfort Ye My People
3. Aria | Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted
4. Chorus | And the Glory of the Lord
5. Accompagnato | Thus Saith the Lord
6. Aria | But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming?
7. Chorus | And He Shall Purify
8. Recitative | Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive
9. Aria & Chorus | O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion
10. Accompagnato | For Behold Darkness Shall Cover the Earth
11. Aria | The People That Walked in Darkness
12. Chorus | For Unto Us a Child is Born
13. Pifa | Sinfonia Pastorale
14a. Recitative | There Were Shepherds Abiding in the Field
14b. Accompagnato | And Lo, the Angel of the Lord Came upon Them
15. Recitative | And the Angel Said unto Them
16. Recitative | And Suddenly There Was with the Angel
17. Chorus | Glory to God
18. Aria | Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter of Zion
19. Recitative | Then Shall the Eyes of the Blind
20. Aria | He Shall Feed His Flock
21. Chorus | His Yoke Is Easy and His Burden Is Light
INTERMISSON
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Part Two
22. Chorus | Behold the Lamb of God
23. Aria | He was Despised
24. Chorus | Surely He Hath Borne our Griefs
25. Chorus | And with his Stripes We are Healed
26. Chorus | All We Like Sheep
27. Accompagnato | All They That See Him Laugh Him to Scorn
28. Chorus | He Trusted in God
29. Accompagnato | Thy Rebuke Hath Broken his Heart
30. Arioso | Behold, and See If There Be any Sorrow
31. Accompagnato | He Was Cut Off Out of the Land of the Living
32. Aria | But Thou Didst Not Leave
33. Chorus | Lift Up Your Heads, O Ye Gates
34. Recitative | Unto Which of the Angels
35. Chorus | Let All the Angels of God
36. Aria | Thou Art Gone Up On High
37. Chorus | The Lord Gave the Word
38. Aria | How Beautiful Are the Feet
39. Chorus | Their Sound is Gone Out
40. Aria | Why Do the Nations So Furiously Rage Together?
41. Chorus | Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder
42. Recitative | He That Dwelleth in Heav’n
43. Aria | Thou Shalt Break Them
44. Chorus | Hallelujah
INTERMISSION
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Part Three
45. Aria | I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
46. Chorus | Since by Man Came Death
47. Accompagnato | Behold, I Tell You a Mystery
48. Aria | The Trumpet Shall Sound
49. Recitative | Then Shall Be Brought to Pass
50. Duet | O Death, Where is Thy Sting?
51. Chorus | But Thanks Be to God
52. Aria | If God Be for Us
53. Chorus | Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain
Program Note
Welcome to our performance of Handel’s Messiah, a masterpiece that has resonated with audiences for nearly three centuries. Whether you’re an experienced listener or new to the world of Baroque music, Messiah offers something universal: an uplifting exploration of faith, hope, and human resilience, set to music of stunning beauty and energy.
The Story of Messiah
Composed in just 24 days in 1741, Messiah was the creation of George Frideric Handel, one of the Baroque era’s most celebrated composers. Though it is often performed during the Christmas season, the work tells a much larger story. Its three parts unfold the biblical narrative of Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, paired with reflections on themes like joy, redemption, and eternal life.
The text, compiled from scripture by Handel’s collaborator Charles Jennens, gives the oratorio its deep sense of spirituality. Yet Messiah transcends religious boundaries, offering an emotional journey that speaks to the human experience.
The Music
Handel’s music is vibrant and varied, blending grand choruses, intimate solos, and powerful instrumental passages. The famous Hallelujah Chorus, which closes the second part, is one of the most iconic moments in all of Western music. But the magic of Messiah lies in its contrasts: from the quiet serenity of “He Shall Feed His Flock” to the exhilarating, trumpet-filled “The Trumpet Shall Sound.”
As you listen, you may notice how Handel’s music reflects the text’s emotions. Listen for moments when the orchestra leaps with joy or when a soloist’s voice seems to soar like a prayer. This vivid storytelling is one of the hallmarks of Baroque music, and Messiah is a perfect example of how music and words can combine to move the soul.
A Living Tradition
Though Messiah premiered in Dublin in 1742, its legacy has grown far beyond its origins. Its first performances were charity events, raising money for hospitals and orphanages—echoing the work’s spirit of generosity and community. Today, Messiah continues to bring people together, whether in concert halls, churches, or public sing-alongs.
For newcomers to Baroque music, Messiah is a gateway into a world of intricate yet approachable art. Its melodies are memorable, its rhythms invigorating, and its message timeless.
Listen and Feel
If this is your first experience with Messiah, you don’t need to know the intricacies of Baroque style or religious history to enjoy it. Let the music speak to you directly. Whether you feel joy, peace, awe, or reflection, you are engaging with the same emotional power that has captivated audiences for generations.
So sit back, listen deeply, and let Handel’s Messiah take you on a journey. It’s a story not just of faith, but of the universal human spirit, told through music that continues to inspire across the centuries.
Great Bend Chorale
Sopranos
*Teaching Artist | Altos
| Tenors
*Teaching Artist | Basses
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Players
Strings John Kim, Concert Master Mary Manning, Violin 2 Sue Jane Bryant, Viola Alec Duggan, Cello | Winds Bridget Long, Oboe Brass George Steward, Trumpet Percussion Continuo
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