Oddly it was not first performed in his home base of London but in Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 1742 as a charity event for a hospital and also to raise funds for people who were in a debtor’s prison. It is still often performed for charitable causes. There was enough money raised on the debut to release 140 debtors from prison.
It was seen as a bit scandalous to have the inauguration of a religious piece in a secular concert hall venue in Dublin but I think it seems somehow appropriate. Where should the good news be heard after all? There was such a demand to hear the opening of the oratorio that women were asked not to wear hooped dresses and men were told to leave their swords at home to make room for more to attend. What a good idea. It then went on to be performed in London but to rather poor opening reviews and it only gained in popularity by the final year of Handel’s life in 1750.
Handel called the piece ‘a sacred oratorio’ because the opera had come under much criticism by religious authorities as a secular form performed in public entertainment venues. This may have been the reason Handel first had it performed in Dublin to escape the critique of the Anglican church leaders.
Though it may in fact be an Easter Oratorio I think it quite fitting for Advent, especially in its climactic parts as it anticipates Christ’s return. I love the hope-filled words from Job, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Though often performed in churches at this time of year, its rightful place would be the shopping malls.