Handel’s Messiah

6R First Separate American Edition of The Messiah, Handel & Haydn Society Boston, 1816, Quite Uncommon Notes Handel’s Messiah is an oratorio composed in 1741 that tells the story of Jesus Christ’s life, from prophecy and birth through crucifixion and resurrection. Unlike traditional operas, Messiah is a sacred work with no characters or dramatic action; it uses scriptural text, mainly from the Bible, to convey themes of redemption and hope. The piece, particularly famous for its “Hallelujah” chorus, is structured in three parts, each capturing different stages of the Christian story, and it remains one of Handel’s most celebrated and frequently performed works. The first separate American publication of George Frederic Handel’s Messiah under the auspices of the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, which is the longest running continuous choral society in America and which gave the American premier of the Messiah two years after 1818. This copy belonged to Elijah Nevers (as noted on the leather label on the front board). Nevers joined the Society in April 1816, shortly after it was formed and shortly before this work was published in September 1816. Description Half red Morocco over ink pressed boards, red name label on front board. First separate American Edition Original ink pressed paper worn through. Corners bumped and free end paper creased. Damp stain on top margin, binding soiled but good copy overall.