Handel's Messiah Live from the Sydney Opera House

Watch a 600-strong Sydney Philharmonia Choirs sing Handel's masterpiece, Messiah, live from the Sydney Opera House.

Performed by Celeste Lazarenko (soprano), Nicholas Tolputt (countertenor), Andrew Goodwin (tenor), Christopher Richardson (bass-baritone), Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Christmas Choir, Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra, Brett Weymark (conductor)

Photo: Keith Saunders

[SKAlice]

The timestamps for all of us with preferred songs:

Introduction: 00:00:27

Sinfony: Grave: 00:01:32
Comfort Ye My People: 00:04:25
Ev’ry Valley Shall Be Exalted: 00:07:09
And The Glory Of The Lord Shall Be Revealed: 00:10:14
Thus Saith The Lord Of Hosts: 00:12:35
But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming: 00:13:58
And He Shall Purify: 00:14:30
Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive: 00:16:50
O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion: 00:17:12
For Behold, Darkness Shall Cover The Earth: 00:21:39
The People That Walked In Darkness: 00:23:43
For Unto Us A Child Is Born: 00:26:20
Pifa (Pastoral Symphony): 00:30:05
There Were Shepherds: 00:31:11
And Lo, The Angel Of The Lord: 00:31:24
And The Angel Said Unto Them: 00:31:43
And Suddenly There Was With The Angel: 00: 32:19
Glory To God In The Highest: 00:32:35
Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion: 00:34:20
Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Open’d: 00:38:23
He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd: 00:39:08
His Yoke Is Easy, His Burthen Is Light: 00:43:33

Break

Behold, The Lamb Of God: 01:08:09
He Was Despised: 01:11:14
Surely, He Hath Borne Our Griefs: 01:20:04
And With His Stipes We Are Healed: 01:21:30
All We Like Sheep Have Gone Astray: 01:22:56
All They That See Him, Laugh Him, To Scorn: 01:26:22
He Trusted In God: 01:26:59
Thy Rebuke Hath Broken His Heart: 01:29:03
Behold, And See If There Be Any Sorrow: 01:30:51
He Was Cut Off Out Of The Land Of The Living: 01:32:08
But Thou Didst Not Leave His Soul In Hell: 01:32:20
Lift Up Your Hands, Oh Ye Gates: 01:34:15
Unto Which Of The Angels: 01:37:15
Let All The Angels Of God Worship Him: 01:37:28
Thou Art Gone Up On High: 01:38:56
The Lord Gave The Word: 01:42:42
How Beautiful Are The Feet: 01:43:45
Their Sound Is Gone Out Into All Lands: 01:47:08
Why Do The Nations So Furiously Rage Together: 01:48:23
Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder: 01:51:16
He That Dwelleth In Heaven: 01:52:51
Thou Shalt Break Them: 01:53:01
Hallelujah: 01:54:51
I Know That My Redeemer Liveth: 02:01:57
Since By Man Came Death: 02:07:57
Behold, I Tell You A Mystery: 02:09:54
The Trumpet Shall Sound: 02:10:29
Then Shall Be Brought To Pass The Saying: 02:14:29
O Death, Where Is Thy Sting: 02:14:44
But Thanks Be To God: 02:15:39
If God Be For Us: 02:17:45
Worthy Is The Lamb That Was Slain… Amen: 02:23:04

[karenchristie]

Appreciation to youtube for honoring this music with no advertising

[bettierusso]

I have sung this every year of my adult life. When my mother died, she had requested that the Hallelujah Chorus be the last song played at her grave as she was lowered in the ground to "sing me into heaven". I did as she asked and it was a special gift of honor to do so. Just me and her after all left and God and the Angels singing with us. I hope some day I will have the same done for me. At 62 yrs old, it even more important. This performance was just as the score shows and the timing on this choir to slow down and then to pack a punch is so spectacular. Thank you so very much for making my Christmas as I can now only sing in my heart as age and illness has taken my voice to sing, but Jesus is always the same and I can listen to your singing and playing and sing in my heart. Merry Christmas!

[jonijoni]

My father listened to this every christmas eve. Straight from a backwoods farm he went to boarding school and eventually became a teacher. He loved all poetry, music, art and literature, and sought it relentlessly during his simple life. It's 2 Christmas since he's gone, but I've taken on the tradition. Thanks for allowing me to hear this, through my father's ears.

[EarthMamaMsNatural]

One snow-filled blizzard night back in 1962 I got my hands on a transitor radio and heard the Messiah for the first time. As a child I was transfixed, transformed and enthralled by the celestial melodies that drew me into the Heavenly realms. To this day I am moved to tears of praise and adoration for our matchless Savior and the boundless grace of our loving Heavenly Father with this timeless oratorio.
As to this performance by the Syndey Opera House it is flawless. What a huge choir! And the soloists are so effortless in their deliveries. Many thanks to them for the countless hours they have put in to mastering their craft. The passion of the countertenor and bass singer, can't put a price on that. I think if I had been there I would have surely fallen out. HALLELUJAH & MARANATHA LORD JESUS!

[SpelllMe]

I just finished my annual Christmas morning tradition of listening to the Messiah (before my kids wake up), getting goosebumps, and sobbing my eyes out at the pure beauty of it all. This year I chose THIS version. It did not disappoint. WOW. The symphony, the choir, and the soloists are superb. I'm still wiping the tears from my face and blowing my nose. Oh, look, the sun is coming up! Merry Christmas, Youtubers!

[ruthwavamunno]

And He's name shall be honored, Wonderful Consoler the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace.🕊️🕊️🕊️🙏🙏🙏

[SheilaPorter-lrqz]

There is nothing like Handel’s beautiful baroque music, The Messiah being one of his best works. The soloists here are outstanding. I especially like the countertenor. I’ve sung the soprano solos myself and loved singing them. The orchestra is superb. God Bless all of you 🙏🌟🕊️♥️

[hannaatoui]

Jesus deserves all praise and all our talents

[timcox]

A magnificent performance of one of the most heavenly works of worship. To Christ alone be the glory!

[samueljanaprasetya]

I love the concept of putting trumpet players in the high place when reciting the "Glory to God in the Highest"

[besthillsongworshipsongs]

I'm so glad that our relationship with Jesus doesn't depend on our emotions or perceptions - but upon the promises in His Word. He is faithful to fulfill all His good Word!

[yhjgrij]

TO GOD ALONE BE ALL THE GLORY. Handel Proved that Jesus is The Messiah. Hallelujah. Timeless Effortless Speechless Priceless. Thanks for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs by performing practically pretty painfully perfect.

[SheilaPorter-lrqz]

I forgot to say, the choir is also superb! Bravo 👏👏

[cstamitz]

Choral works are tough to perform. You need a great conductor, chorus and wonderful soloists. This performance from Sydney, Australia at their legendary opera house met all of those demands. The performance had tremendous passion and energy. And the camera work was exceptional. The chorus was exceptionally large and their performance was magnificent. This is one of the best Youtube videos in their enormous catalog. If you love classical music, don't miss this one.

[MrAndrebatera]

I had the great pleasure to sing this masterpeace with Brisbane Choir in november 2010. It was a celestial night.

[krisoluich]

Greatest thing to come out of a human mind.

[dr.jameshwang]

Magnificent performance to praise Messiah the King of kings, Lord of lords! It's a miracle that Handel completed the musical arrangement in less than 2 months, all 200 plus pages.

[arlenedeborahdeleon]

"Be still and know that I Am God." In majesty we sing to Him, all glory and honor to our King!
Thank you all for sharing your talents. From the Philippines.

[georgerichards]

"The Glory of the Lord ..." I can hear my beloved singing in her beautiful soprano voice before our dear Lord - the separation is bearable knowing that one day we will be together to sing of His Glory - we sang in our local Chorus & I still have our chorus books (I was in the Tenor section - it's a joy to sing-a-long) - since the death of my sweetheart the music not only moves me to tears but gives me HOPE - Thank You Jesus