About the piece
The most famous chorus of “Messiah”, with texts from the Book of Revelation (“Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”). The edition, 94 measures long, carries soprano, alto, tenor and bass.
How to prepare it
It is advanced: the four voices span D4–A5 (a twelfth) (sopranos), G3–D5 (a twelfth) (altos), D3–A4 (a twelfth) (tenors) and G2–D4 (a twelfth) (basses), with fast coloratura passages. Work with a metronome, starting very slowly and raising the tempo little by little; learn each voice separately and only then combine them. Stamina is key: plan your breaths well.
When to use it
A classic of Easter and Christmas, and often sung as the final piece of a concert or as a solemn closing chant.