George Frideric Handel was truly a ‘composer of the people,’ an ordinary man with an extraordinary gift for music. He infused everything he wrote with drama: his arias, vocal works, and concertos are filled with sweeping, powerful passages that linger long in the memory. None of Handel’s oratorios, though, have garnered more acclaim or fame than Messiah. It is the first ‘classical’ work in the musical canon and the oldest composition to have never fallen out of favour; since its premiere in the autumn of 1742, it has remained a constant on concert stages worldwide. The majestic melodies, moving choruses, and inspiring solos combine to create an immersive experience that touches the soul—something Handel himself realised: 'I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God himself.'"