Editing Messiah (Handel) (section)

===Organisation and numbering of movements===

{{Main|Structure of Handel's Messiah}}
The numbering of the movements shown here is in accordance with the Novello vocal score (1959), edited by Watkins Shaw, which adapts the numbering earlier devised by Ebenezer Prout. Other editions count the movements slightly differently; the [[Bärenreiter]] edition of 1965, for example, does not number  the recitatives and runs from 1 to 47.<ref name= Bix>Burrows (1991), pp. ix, 86–100</ref> The division into parts and scenes is based upon the 1743 word-book prepared for the first London performance.<ref>Burrows (1991), pp. 83–84</ref> The scene headings are given as Burrows summarised the scene headings by Jennens.<ref name= B57/>

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;Part I
[[Messiah Part I#Scene 1|Scene 1]]: [[Isaiah]]'s prophecy of salvation
# [[Overture]] (instrumental)
# Comfort ye my people (tenor)
# Ev'ry valley shall be exalted (air for tenor)
# And the glory of the Lord (anthem chorus)

[[Messiah Part I#Scene 2|Scene 2]]: The coming judgment
# <li value=5> Thus saith the Lord of hosts (accompanied [[recitative]] for bass)</li>
# But who may abide the day of His coming (soprano, alto or bass)
# And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus)

[[Messiah Part I#Scene 3|Scene 3]]: The prophecy of Christ's birth
# <li value=8> Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto)</li>
# O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (air for alto and chorus)
# For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass)
# The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass)
# For unto us a child is born (duet chorus)

[[Messiah Part I#Scene 4|Scene 4]]: The annunciation to the shepherds
# <li value=13> ''Pifa'' ("pastoral symphony": instrumental)</li>
# <li value=14a> (a) There were shepherds abiding in the fields (secco recitative for soprano)</li>
# <li value=14> (b) And lo, the angel of the Lord (accompanied recitative for soprano)</li>
# And the angel said unto them (secco recitative for soprano)
# And suddenly there was with the angel (accompanied recitative for soprano)
# Glory to God in the highest (chorus)

[[Messiah Part I#Scene 5|Scene 5]]: Christ's healing and redemption
# <li value=18> Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)</li>
# Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened (secco recitative for soprano or alto)
# He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (alto or soprano)
# His yoke is easy (duet chorus)
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;Part II
[[Messiah Part II#Scene 1|Scene 1]]: Christ's Passion
# <li value=22> Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)</li>
# He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
# Surely he hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus)
# And with his stripes we are healed (fugue chorus)
# All we like sheep have gone astray (duet chorus)
# All they that see him laugh him to scorn (secco recitative for tenor)
# He trusted in God that he would deliver him (fugue chorus)
# Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor or soprano)
# Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor or soprano)

[[Messiah Part II#Scene 2|Scene 2]]: Christ's Death and Resurrection
# <li value=31> He was cut off (tenor or soprano)</li>
# But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor or soprano)

[[Messiah Part II#Scene 3|Scene 3]]: Christ's Ascension
# <li value=33> Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus)</li>

[[Messiah Part II#Scene 4|Scene 4]]: Christ's reception in Heaven
# <li value=34> Unto which of the angels (tenor)</li>
# Let all the angels of God worship Him (chorus)

[[Messiah Part II#Scene 5|Scene 5]]: The beginnings of Gospel preaching
# <li value=36> Thou art gone up on high (soprano, alto, or bass)</li>
# The Lord gave the word (chorus)
# How beautiful are the feet (soprano, alto, or chorus)
# Their sound is gone out (tenor or chorus)

[[Messiah Part II#Scene 6|Scene 6]]: The world's rejection of the Gospel
# <li value=40> Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass)</li>
# Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus)
# He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)

[[Messiah Part II#Scene 7|Scene 7]]: God's ultimate victory
# <li value=43> Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor)</li>
# [[Hallelujah Chorus|Hallelujah]] (anthem and fugue chorus)
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;Part III
[[Messiah Part III#Scene 1|Scene 1]]: The promise of eternal life
# <li value=45> I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)</li>
# Since by man came death (chorus)

[[Messiah Part III#Scene 2|Scene 2]]: The Day of Judgment
# <li value=47> Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)</li>
# The trumpet shall sound (bass)

[[Messiah Part III#Scene 3|Scene 3]]: The final conquest of sin
# <li value=49> Then shall be brought to pass (alto)</li>
# O death, where is thy sting? (alto and tenor)
# But thanks be to God (chorus)
# If God be for us, who can be against us? (soprano)

[[Messiah Part III#Scene 4|Scene 4]]: The acclamation of the Messiah
# <li value=53> Worthy is the Lamb (anthem and fugue chorus)</li>
:::Amen (anthem and fugue chorus)
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