How did Mozart come to arrange Messiah? Teri Noel Towe tells the wonderful story in this ClassicalNet article.
We're singing only the very best bits of Messiah in our Open Sing 2023.
The first number is for the orchestra — it's the movement number in the orchestal parts. You can sign up to play in the orchestra here.
The second number is for the singers — it's the movement number in the edition by Watkins Shaw published by Novello, which is the score most singers will be using.
- 1 Sinfonia (Overture)
1 2 Comfort ye, my people Tenor recitative
2 3 Ev'ry valley shall be exalted Tenor aria
3 4 And the glory of the Lord Chorus
4 5 Thus saith the Lord Bass recitative
5 6 But who may abide Bass aria
6 7 And he shall purify Chorus
7 8 Behold, a virgin Alto recitative
8 9 O thou that tellest Alto aria
9 - O thou that tellest Chorus
12 12 For unto us a child is born Chorus
13 13 Pifa ("Pastoral Symphony") Orchestra
14 14a/b There were shepherds / And lo, the angel Soprano recitative
- 15 And the angel said Soprano recitative
- 16 And suddenly Soprano recitative
15 17 Glory to God Chorus
16 18 Rejoice greatly Soprano aria
39 37 Their sound is gone out Chorus
42 44 Hallelujah Chorus
Click on the instrument to get a pdf of your part