Now, you might be wondering why Handel chose to write his masterpiece in English, rather than his native German or Italian, which were more commonly used in opera and classical music at the time. The answer lies in the fact that he was living in London when he composed the piece, and English was the dominant language of the city. It's kind of like how Hollywood movies are usually in English, even if the actors and directors are from all over the world - it's just the way the industry worked.
But here's the cool thing about Handel's Messiah: even though it's sung in English, the language is still pretty formal and old-fashioned, which can make it sound kind of foreign to our modern ears. It's a bit like listening to a Shakespearean play - you have to pay attention to the words and the rhythm to really understand what's going on. And yet, despite the language barrier, the music still manages to convey a sense of timelessness and universality that transcends words.
So, what is it about Handel's Messiah that makes it so enduring and popular, even after all these years? Is it the beautiful music, the powerful vocals, or something else entirely? Maybe it's the fact that the piece is able to tap into our deepest emotions and desires, speaking to us on a level that goes beyond words and language.
