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碟片编号：A-0055、56
唱片名称：亨德尔-Messiah(弥赛亚)
FIM<Messiah>SACD版.
CD编号:FIM SACD 039
女高音：尤里·肯尼
高男高音：保罗·艾斯伍德
男高音：马丁·希尔
男低音：马格勒斯·林顿
瑞典广播交响乐团 斯德歌尔摩能上能巴赫合唱团
指挥：安德斯·奥尔华尔 （Anders Ohrwall）
Handel<Messiah>是脍炙人口的宗教音乐,乐曲有人声,独唱,合唱,各种管弦乐声及管风琴穿插其间,XRCD版FIM<Messiah>的人声和乐声的真确度及布满音场的空气感简直靓到前无古人,已经赢得众音乐编辑的一致推崇.已被誉为当今弥赛亚的典范.FIM再次用原母带重新以DSD制式制版.推出SACD版<Messiah>宏大的动态明显更上一层,细致更丰富.是最佳独唱,对唱,乐器,大合唱的大型乐曲示范演录.男高音人声真挚清晰,感染力极高.女声独唱美不可言,合唱人声似排山倒海气势逼人,慑人心脾....
First Impression Music SACD 039 2-disc set
Format
Super Audio Compact Disc - 2 layer hybrid disc.
DSD 2 channel stereo and HDCD format.
Plays on all SACD and CD Players !
Tracklist
Tracklist CD 1
Sinfonia (Grave. Allegro Moderato)
Comfort ye (Arioso, tenor)
Every valley (Air, tenor)
And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
Thus saith the Lord (Recitative, bass)
But who may abide (Air, countertenor)
And He shall purify (Chorus)
Behold, a virgin (Recitative, countertenor)
O thou that tellest (Air, countertenor & chorus)
For, behold (Recitative, bass)
The people that walked (Air, Bass)
For unto us a Child is born (Chorus)
Pifa
Thore were shepherds abiding
Glory to God (Chorus)
Rejoice greatly (Air, soprano)
Then shall the eyes (Recitative, countertenor)
He shall feed his flock (Duet, alto & soprano)
His yoke is easy (Chorus)
Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
He was despised (Air, countertenor)
Tracklist CD 2
Surely, He hath borne (Chorus)
And with His stripes (Chorus)
All we like sheep (Chorus)
All they that see Him (Recitative, tenor)
He trusted in God (Chorus)
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Recitative, soprano)
Behold, and see (Arioso, sporano)
He was cut out (Recitative, tenor)
But Thou didst not leave (Air, tenor)
Lift up your heads (Chorus)
Unto which of the angels said (Recitative, tenor)
Let all the angels (Chorus)
Thou art gone (Air, countertenor)
The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
How beautiful (Air, soprano)
Why do the nations (Air, bass)
Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
He that dwelleth (Recitative, tenor)
Thou shalt break them (Air, tenor)
Hallelujah (Chorus)
I know that my Redeemer liveth (Air, soprano)
Since byman came death (Chorus)
Behold, I tell you a mystery (Recitative, bass)
The trumpet shall sound (Air, bass)
Then shall be brought (Recitative, countertenor)
Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus)
Amen
Musicians
Vocalists - Yvonne Kenny, Paul Esswood, Martin Hill
and Magnus Linden
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Stockholm Bach Choir
Conductor - Anders 謍rwall
Audiophile
The music in this album is from a live recording
of a concert of Handel抯 Messiah in Adolf Fredrik Church in Stockholm,
Sweden on February 13 and 14, 1982 ?almost exactly 240 years after
the first performance in Dublin, Ireland in 1742.
For technical reasons, the soloists could only take
their places on a platform to the left in front of the violinists.
Therefore, in your stereo system, you will hear them primarily
from the left.
亨德尔《弥赛亚》歌词
感谢网友“一休”提供资料
MESSIAH (composed 1742)
Music by Georg Friedrich Handel
A Sacred Oratorio
Words by Charles Jennens
DISC 1
(PART ONE 救主降临的预言及他的诞生)
1. Sinfonia (Grave. Allegro Moderato)
2. Comfort ye (Arioso, tenor)
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness;
prepare ye the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
以赛亚书 40:1 你们的神说，你们要安慰，安慰我的百姓。
40:2 要对耶路撒冷说安慰的话，又向他宣告说，他争战的日子已满了，他的罪孽赦免了，他为自己的一切罪，从耶和华手中加倍受罚。
40:3 有人声喊著说，在旷野豫备耶和华的路，在沙漠地修平我们神的道。
3. Every valley (Air, tenor)
Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill made low
The crooked straight and the rough places plain
以赛亚书 40:4 一切山洼都要填满，大小山冈都要削平，高高低低的要改为平坦，崎崎岖岖的必成为平原。
4. And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together:
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
以赛亚书 40:5 耶和华的荣耀必然显现，凡有血气的必一同看见，因为这是耶和华亲口说的。
5. Thus saith the Lord (Recitative, bass)
Thus saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts:
Yet once a little while and I will shake the heavens
and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
And I will shake all nations;
and the desire of all nations shall come.
The Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple,
even the messenger of the Covenant, whom you delight in;
behold, He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
哈该书2:6 万军之耶和华如此说，过不多时，我必再一次震动天地，沧海，与旱地。
2:7 我必震动万国。万国的珍宝必都运来（或作万国所羡慕的必来到），我就使这殿满了荣耀。这是万军之耶和华说的。
6. But who may abide (Air, countertenor)
But who may abide the day of His coming,
and who shall stand when He appeareth?
For He is like a refiner's fire.
玛拉基书 3:2 他来的日子，谁能当得起呢。他显现的时候，谁能立得住呢。因为他如炼金之人的火。
7. And He shall purify (Chorus)
And He shall purify the sons of Levi,
that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
玛拉基书 3:3 他必坐下如炼净银子的，必洁净利未人，熬炼他们像金银一样。他们就凭公义献供物给耶和华。
8. Behold, a virgin (Recitative, countertenor)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and shall call His name Emmanuel, God with us.
以赛亚书7：14 必有童女怀孕生子，给他起名为以马内利。
9. O thou that tellest (Air, countertenor & chorus)
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain.
O thou that tellest good tidings to Jerusalem,
lift up thy voice with strength;
lift it up, be not afraid;
say unto the cities of Judah, behold your god!
Arise, shine, for thy light is come,
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
以赛亚书 40:9 报好信息给锡安的啊，你要登上高山。报好信息给耶路撒冷的啊，你要极力扬声。扬声不要惧怕，对犹大的城邑说，看哪，你们的神。
40:10 主耶和华必像大能者临到，他的膀臂必为他掌权。
10. For, behold (Recitative, bass)
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall arise upon thee,
and His glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light,
and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
以赛亚书 60:2 看哪，黑暗遮盖大地，幽暗遮盖万民。耶和华却要显现照耀你，他的荣耀要现在你身上。
60:3 万国要来就你的光，君王要来就你发现的光辉。
11. The people that walked (Air, Bass)
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light;
and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.
以赛亚书 9:2 在黑暗中行走的百姓，看见了大光。住在死荫之地的人有光照耀他们。
12. For unto us a Child is born (Chorus)
For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon His shoulder;
and His name shall be called
Wonderful, Counsellor,
the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
以赛亚书 9:6 因为有一婴孩为我们而生，有一子赐给我们。政权必担在他的肩头上。他名称为奇妙，策士，全能的神，永在的父，和平的君。
13. Pifa ("Pastoral Symphony")
14a. There were shepherds abiding
There were shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flocks by night.
路加福音 2:8 在伯利之野地里有牧羊人，夜间按著更次看守羊群。
b. AccompagnatoSoprano
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about them,
and they were sore afraid.
路加福音 2:9 有主的使者站在他们旁边，主的荣光四面照著他们。牧羊的人就甚惧怕。
RecitativeSoprano
And the angel said unto them: "Fear not, for behold,
I bring you good tidings of great joy,
which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
路加福音 2:10 那天使对他们说，不要惧怕，我报给你们大喜的信息，是关乎万民的。
2:11 因今天在大卫的城里，为你们生了救主，就是主基督。
15. Glory to God (Chorus)
And suddenly there was with the angel,
a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth, good will towards men."
路加福音 2:13 忽然有一大队天兵，同那天使赞美神说，
2:14 在至高之处荣耀归与神，在地上平安归与他所喜悦的人。
16. Rejoice greatly (Air, soprano)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, thy King cometh unto thee;
He is the righteous Saviour,
and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
Rejoice greatly. . .
撒迦利亚书 9:9 锡安的民哪，应当大大喜乐。耶路撒冷的民哪，应当欢呼。看哪，你的王来到你这里。他是公义的，并且施行拯救。
17. Then shall the eyes (Recitative, countertenor)
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened,
and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
Then shall the lame man leap as an hart,
and the tongue of the dumb shall sing.
马太福音 11:5 就是瞎子看见，瘸子行走，长大麻疯的洁净，聋子听见。
18. He shall feed his flock (Duet, alto & soprano)
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd;
and He shall gather the lambs with His arm,
and carry them in His bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour,
come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Take his yoke up on you, and learn of Him,
for He is meek and lowly of heart,and ye shall find rest unto your souls
以赛亚书 40:11 他必像牧人牧养自己的羊群，用膀臂聚集羊羔抱在怀中，慢慢引导那乳养小羊的。
马太福音 11:28 凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。
马太福音 11:29 我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。
19. His yoke is easy (Chorus)
His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
马太福音 11:30 因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。
（PART TWO 救赎的信息及救主为全人类的牺牲）
20. Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
Behold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world.
约翰福音 1:29次日，约翰看见耶稣来到他那里，就说，看哪，神的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的。
21. He was despised (Air, countertenor)
He was despised and rejected of men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
He gave His back to the smiters,
and His cheeks to them that plucked off His hair:
He hid not His face from shame and spitting.
He was despised. . .
以赛亚书 53:3 他被藐视，被人厌弃，多受痛苦，常经忧患。他被藐视，好像被人掩面不看的一样。我们也不尊重他。
DISC 2
1. Surely, He hath borne (Chorus)
Surely He hath borne our griefs,
and carried our sorrows!
He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.
以赛亚书 53:4 他诚然担当我们的忧患，背负我们的痛苦。我们却以为他受责罚，被神击打苦待了。
53:5 那知他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚我们得平安。因他受的鞭伤我们得医治。
2. And with His stripes (Chorus)
And with His stripes we are healed.
以赛亚书 53:5因他受的鞭伤我们得医治。
3. All we like sheep (Chorus)
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way.
And the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
以赛亚书 53:6 我们都如羊走迷，各人偏行己路。耶和华使我们众人的罪孽都归在他身上。
4. All they that see Him (Recitative, tenor)
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn;
they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying:
诗篇22:7 凡看见我的都耻笑我，他们撇嘴摇头，说：
5. He trusted in God (Chorus)
"He trusted in God that He would deliver Him;
let Him deliver Him, if He delight in Him."
诗篇22:8 “他把自己交托耶和华，耶和华可以救他吧！耶和华喜悦他，可以搭救他吧！”
6.Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Recitative, soprano)
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart: He is full of heaviness.
He looked for some to have pity on Him,
but there was no man, neither found He any to comfort him.
诗篇69:20 辱骂伤破了我的心，我又满了忧愁。我指望有人体恤，却没有一个；我指望有人安慰，却找不着一个。
7. Behold, and see (Arioso, sporano)
Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto His sorrow.
耶利米哀歌1:12 你们要观看，有像这临到我的痛苦没有？
8. He was cut out (Recitative, tenor)
He was cut off out of the land of the living:
for the transgressions of Thy people was He stricken.
以赛亚书 53:8 从活人之地被剪除，是因为我百姓的罪过呢？
9. But Thou didst not leave (Air, tenor)
But Thou didst not leave his soul in hell
nor didst Thou suffer Thy Holy One to see corruption.
诗篇16:10 因为你必不将我的灵魂撇在阴间，也不叫你的圣者见朽坏。
10. Lift up your heads (Chorus)
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
and the King of Glory shall come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.
诗篇24:7 众城门哪，你们要抬起头来！永久的门户，你们要被举起。那荣耀的王将要进来。
24:8 荣耀的王是谁呢？就是有力有能的耶和华，在战场上有能的耶和华。
24:9 众城门哪，你们要抬起头来！永久的门户，你们要把头抬起！那荣耀的王将要进来。
24:10 荣耀的王是谁呢？万军之耶和华，他是荣耀的王！细拉
11. Unto which of the angels said (Recitative, tenor)
Unto which of the angels said He at any time:
"Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee?"
希伯来书1:5 所有的天使，神从来对哪一个说：“你是我的儿子，我今日生你？”
12. Let all the angels (Chorus)
Let all the angels of God worship Him.
希伯来书1:6 神的使者都要崇拜他。
13. Thou art gone (Air, countertenor)
Thou art gone up on high;
Thou hast led captivity captive, and received gifts for men;
yea, even from Thine enemies,
that the Lord God might dwell among them.
诗篇68:18 你已升上高天掳掠仇敌，你在人间，就是在悖逆的人间受了贡献，叫耶和华神可以和他们同住。
14. The Lord gave the word (Chorus)
The Lord gave the word;
great was the company of the preachers.
诗篇 68:11 主发命令，传好消息的妇女成了大群。（The Lord gives the word; great is the number of the women who make it public.）
15. How beautiful (Air, soprano)
How beautiful are the feet of them
that preach the gospel of peace,
and bring glad tidings of good things.
罗马书 10:15报福音传喜信的人，他们的脚踪何等佳美。
Chorus (or air for tenor)
Their sound is gone out into all lands,
and their words unto the ends of the world.
罗马书 10:18他们的声音传遍天下，他们的言语传到地极。
16. Why do the nations (Air, bass)
Why do the nations so furiously rage together,
and why do the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth rise up,
and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord,
and against His anointed.
诗篇 2:1 外邦为什么争闹，万民为什么谋算虚妄的事。
2:2 世上的君王一齐起来，臣宰一同商议，要敌挡耶和华并他的受膏者，
17. Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
Let us break their bonds asunder,
and cast away their yokes from us.
诗篇 2:3 说：“我们要挣开他们的捆绑，脱去他们的绳索。”
18. He that dwelleth (Recitative, tenor)
He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn;
The Lord shall have them in derision.
诗篇 2:4 那坐在天上的必发笑。主必嗤笑他们。
19. Thou shalt break them (Air, tenor)
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron;
thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
诗篇 2:9 你必用铁杖打破他们，你必将他们如同窑匠的瓦器摔碎。
20. Hallelujah (Chorus)
Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
Hallelujah!
启示录19:6 哈利路亚，因为我们的神，全能者作王了。
11:15 世上的国成了我主和主基督的国；他要做王，直到永永远远。
19:16 万王之王，万主之主。
（PART THREE 救主战胜死亡及最终的审判）
21. I know that my Redeemer liveth (Air, soprano)
I know that my Redeemer liveth,
and that He shall stand
at the latter day upon the earth.
And though worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God.
For now is Christ risen from the dead,
the first fruits of them that sleep.
约伯记19:25 我知道我的救赎主活著，末了必站立在地上。
19:26 我这皮肉灭绝之后，我必在肉体之外得见神。
哥林多前书 15:20 但基督已经从死里复活，成为睡了之人初熟的果子。
22. Since by man came death (Chorus)
Since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die,
even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
哥林多前书 15:21 死既是因一人而来，死人复活也是因一人而来。
15:22 在亚当里众人都死了，照样，在基督里众人也都要复活。
23. Behold, I tell you a mystery (Recitative, bass)
Behold, I tell you a mystery;
we shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
哥林多前书 15:51 我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们。我们不是都要睡觉，乃是都要改变，
15:52 就在一霎时，眨眼之间，号筒末次吹响的时候。
24. The trumpet shall sound (Air, bass)
The trumpet shall sound,and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,
and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption
and this mortal must put on immortality.
The trumpet. . .
哥林多前书 15:52因号筒要响，死人要复活，成为不朽坏的，我们也要改变。
15:53 这必朽坏的总要变成不朽坏的。这必死的总要变成不死的。
25. Then shall be brought (Recitative, countertenor)
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
"Death is swallowed up in victory."
哥林多前书 15:54那时经上所记，死被得胜吞灭的话就应验了。
26. Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus)
O death, where is thy sting?
O grave, where is thy victory?
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,
and hath redeemed us to God by His blood,
to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength,
and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Blessing and honour, glory and power,
be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne,
and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.
哥林多前书 15:55 死啊，你得胜的权势在那里。死啊，你的毒钩在那里。
启示录5:12曾被杀的羔羊，是配得权柄，丰富，智慧，能力，尊贵，荣耀，颂赞的。
5:13 我又听见，在天上，地上，地底下，沧海里，和天地间一切所有被造之物，都说，但愿颂赞，尊贵，荣耀，权势，都归给坐宝座的和羔羊，直到永永远远。
27 Amen (Chorus)
Amen.
1735年，作曲家已年过半百，然而这时候他的生活状况却变得异常窘迫——歌剧在英国已经不再受到重视，以至于他的创作成果一再付之东流，亨德尔亲手创建的歌剧院也不得不被迫关闭，曾经无比风光的音乐大师一下子成了负债累累的潦倒汉。就在这生活与事业的最低谷，伦敦一位著名的剧作家查理·詹宁斯给亨德尔寄送来了自己创作的三部宗教清唱剧剧本——《扫罗（Saul）》、《弥赛亚（Messiah）》以及《Belshazzar》。詹宁斯和亨德尔早在1725年就成为挚友，詹宁斯才华出众，是当时英国十分出色的剧作家，而亨德尔又发现詹宁斯对自己的音乐作品有相当高的领悟力和理解力，所以两人相互仰慕，并结下了深厚的友谊。此时詹宁斯寄来的三部剧本无疑好似“雪中送炭”，令作曲家欣喜不已。他立刻回信道谢，并决心对这些剧本进行潜心的研究。
此后的时光，亨德尔在阅读和思索中度过。虽然此时他生活在贫穷和困苦中，但充满宗教色彩的三部清唱剧剧本却让作曲家经历了一次精神世界的洗礼。《弥赛亚》更让亨德尔的思想获得升华，在这部剧作中他体会到了神的力量，心中重现阳光与感动。经过数年的思想积蓄，在1741年亨德尔开始着手创作基于《弥赛亚》剧本的音乐。历史上对于这部作品的诞生有非常详尽的纪录——亨德尔在当年8月22日（星期六）下午开始写作《弥赛亚》，6天之内便完成了第一部份，9月6日完成第二部份，9月12日完成整曲的架构，然后写了管弦乐部份并加修整。完成整部作品前后一共只花了短短24天，速度是极其惊人且无丝毫的敷衍、懈怠。据闻作曲家在写作过程中，时常被感动得泪流满面，甚至湿透手稿。尤其当他写到第二部分终曲《哈利路亚大合唱》这一段时，还双膝跪倒在地，双手向天，喊著说：“我看到天门开了！”作曲家似乎已经亲身看见、亲手触摸到救世主，所以《弥赛亚》之所以能流芳百世，与亨德尔创作时体现出的虔诚心灵以及成熟的宗教情操是息息相关的。
无论在处世态度方面还是事业成就方面，《弥赛亚》对于亨德尔而言都有着非同一般的意义，这部作品让作曲家有了很多改变——亨德尔不再急功好利，他开始追求人生真实的意义。从此以后，亨德尔与巴赫携手并进，从心底写出对至高上主的赞美与感谢，将一切的荣耀归与真神上帝。也惟有这样伟大的心灵，才能谱出感人至深的音乐，为许多世上迷途的人们指点迷津，照亮他们人生的旅途。
《弥赛亚》的首演在1742年4月13日于爱尔兰首都都柏林举行，虽然这时候亨德尔的经济条件很不好，但是他还是毅然决定将首演办为公益演出，不带任何盈利性。当时的海报上写着“为了一些困苦的囚犯，以及梅尔舍医院的利益而演出”。结果这次首演取得了很大成功，听众无不被作品所感染。很快，消息传到英国首都伦敦，人们纷纷要求一睹为快。1743年《弥赛亚》在伦敦上演，英王乔治二世亲临剧院，当第二部分终曲《哈里路亚》奏响时，国王按捺不住心中的激动，站起来听完了全曲。由此，《哈里路亚》要站着聆听，便作为一条不成文的规定一直延续到今天。最后演出再次获得轰动，在经历了长久的沉寂后，亨德尔终于依靠《弥赛亚》取得了事业上的又一个高峰。
清唱剧是以宗教事件或宗教人物为主角的，以管弦乐与人声歌唱为表现形式的大型作品，通常是作曲家根据剧本唱词写作旋律。《弥赛亚》的内容完全取材于圣经，剧作家詹宁斯对圣经各个篇章故事的采撷、编绘，具备高度的广博性，且能做到融会贯通，所以剧本自身就具备很高的文学素质。作品的中心思想非常明确——颂赞救主基督的全生涯，从旧约圣经的预言，到主耶稣的出生、生活、受难、受死及复活，以迄荣耀的再临，使我们清楚认识到整曲的一贯性。全曲主要精神虽然注重救赎的信息，却超越了教会的教义，成为一种非礼仪的圣乐，而向全世界人类传达救恩的喜讯。亨德尔经过对剧本长达数年的钻研领悟，加上其无比优秀的音乐天赋和创作歌剧时积累下的经验，用自己独特而美妙的音乐语言，将这一严肃的主题表达出来。
剧本共分成三大部分：“救主降临的预言及他的诞生”、“救赎的信息及救主为全人类的牺牲”以及“救主战胜死亡及最终的审判”，唱词主要选自圣经的《以赛亚书》、《诗篇》等。最终的演出则又分为五十三个章节，其中第一部分和第二部分都是23曲，第三部分篇幅较短，为9曲。曲目由序曲开始，给人以平安、回归的感觉。亨德尔一开始就用男高音，以宣叙调唱出《安慰你们，我的子民》。在第一部分中间，他倒述救主的降生，而且把降生的情景，如童女怀孕生子，天使向牧羊人报佳音，牧羊人在旷野等都生动描绘出来，使听众如生历其境。合唱曲《光荣属于上帝》，以遥远而轻盈的声音演唱。随着乐团齐奏，音乐逐渐增强。女高音独唱的咏叹调《放牧羊群》，以优美恬静著称。在四声部交替的合唱声中，第一部结束了。第二部分以《以赛亚书》及诗篇为主，默想基督代罪羔羊的苦难，和他光荣的复活。这部份最为突出的是女高音所演唱的悲伤咏叹调和三首哀婉而令人心碎的合唱曲。随后与其形成对比的是一段女高音简短的宣叙调，以及一段赋格式的合唱；紧接着的是五个声部的合唱《醒来吧！》和人们的祈祷曲。结尾曲是亨德尔最著名的作品：《哈利路亚》合唱曲，哈利路亚原意是“将荣耀归给主，赞美救主”之意。这个合唱成为整部作品的高潮和精髓，也是如今最常上演的段落，在西方国家甚至是妇孺皆知的，其气势宏大，感人至深。第三部分亨德尔说明了救世主对“未来”的拯救。从女高音演唱的活泼咏叹调《我的救赎主活着》，及以整个乐团伴奏男低音的宣叙调《号角响起了》，然后是充满艺术魅力赋格曲调。最后是以丰富的节奏，仅以一句话构成的《阿门颂》完成这一部伟大的钜作。
《弥赛亚》是一部伟大的作品！从艺术层面而言，《弥赛亚》既充满着巴洛克时期独有的特点，又显得极其与众不同，其平易近人、雅俗共赏的特点使它成为影响力最广泛的宗教音乐作品之一。同时作品具有极大的包容性，我们可以听到意大利歌剧、德国受难曲、英国赞美诗等曲式的影子。在艺术气质上既有英国的纯朴、德国的严谨，更有意大利的明朗和法国的高贵。《弥赛亚》具有浓重的宗教色彩，从而成为引领很多人进入圣殿的名篇，但其高度的艺术性也让它成为广大古典音乐爱好者喜闻乐见的声乐作品，崇高的思想、圣洁的气质以及优美的旋律造就了《弥赛亚》的不朽。
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