Discover Handel’s Messiah in this installment of First Nights, which will explore five masterpieces of western music.
Understand what you need to succeed in this course and determine if it's the right fit for your learning goals
What you need before starting this First Nights - Handel's Messiah and Baroque Oratorio course:
Beginner-Friendly Course!
This course is designed for absolute beginners. No prior knowledge needed.
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Everything you need to know about this online course, from duration to certification
While Italian opera set the standard in the Baroque era, German composer George Frederic Handel quickly gained popularity for his oratorios, which put operatic techniques to work in the service of sacred music. Handel’s Messiah premiered in Dublin on April 13, 1742, and remains popular to this day. Harvard’s Thomas Forrest Kelly (Morton B. Knafel Professor of Music) guides learners through Messiah’s musical highlights, while detailing Handel’s composition process, the preparations and rehearsals, and the premiere performance. Learners in this module of First Nights need not have any prior musical experience. In this unit, you will learn the basics of musical form and analysis, the genres and styles used in Messiah, the circumstances of its first performance, and its subsequent history. Additional First Nights Modules:Monteverdi's L'Orfeo and the Birth of OperaHandel’s Messiah and Baroque OratorioBeethoven's "Ninth Symphony"Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique and Program Music in the 19th CenturyIgor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring: Modernism, Ballet, and Riots
Difficulty Level
Introductory
Suitable for motivated learners
Subject Category
Humanities, Art & Culture, History
Part of our Humanities, Art & Culture, History curriculum
Course Language
English
All materials in English
This online course offers comprehensive training with expert instruction, practical exercises, and a certificate of completion. Join thousands of students advancing their careers through quality online education.
Budget-Friendly Course
Typically around $49
Pricing may vary. Check the course provider for current promotions and exact pricing.
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