MESSIAH SELECTIONS
PART I
Scene 1: “Isaiah’s prophecy of salvation”
- Sinfonia/Overture
- Accompagnato, tenor: Comfort ye my people
- Air, tenor: Ev’ry valley shall be exalted
- Chorus: And the glory of the Lord
Scene 2: “The coming judgement”
- Accompagnato, bass: Thus saith the Lord of hosts
- Air, alto: But who may abide the day of His coming
- Chorus: And He shall purify
Scene 3: “The Prophecy of the Virgin Birth”
- Recitative, alto: Behold, a virgin shall conceive
- Air and Chorus, alto: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
- Accompagnato, bass: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
- Air, bass: The people that walked in darkness
- Chorus: For unto us a Child is born
Scene 4: “The appearance of Angels to the Shepherds”
- Pifa (“Pastoral Symphony”)
- (a) Recitative, soprano: There were shepherds abiding in the field
- (b) Recitative, soprano: And lo, the angel of the Lord
15. Recitative, soprano: And the angel said unto them - Accompagnato, soprano: And suddenly there was with the angel
- Chorus: Glory to God in the highest
Scene 5: “Christ’s redemptive miracles on earth”
- Air, soprano: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion
- Recitative, alto: Then shall the eyes of the blind be open’d
- Duet, alto & soprano: He shall feed his flock like a shepherd
- Chorus: His yoke is easy
PART II
Scene 6: “The world and its rulers reject the gospel
- Recitative, tenor: He that dwelleth in heaven
Scene 7: “God’s triumph”
43: Air, tenor: Thou shalt break them
44. Chorus: Hallelujah!
PART III
Scene 1: “The promise of bodily resurrection and redemption from Adam’s fall”
- Air, soprano: I know that my Redeemer liveth
Scene 2: “The Day of Judgement and general Resurrection”
- Accompagnato, bass: Behold, I tell you a mystery
- Air, bass: The trumpet shall sound
Scene 4: “The glorification of the Messianic victim”
- Chorus: Worthy is the Lamb