HomeNewsHandel’s Messiah at Christmas: He shall feed his flock

Handel’s Messiah at Christmas: He shall feed his flock

January 2, 2023

THIS is our final excerpt from Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, which is concerned with the birth of Jesus as foretold by the prophets of the Old Testament and reported in the gospels of Luke and Matthew.

Air: ‘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. (Isaiah 40, v.11); ‘Come unto him, all ye that labour, come unto him, that are heavy laden, and he will give you rest. Take his yoke upon you, and learn of him; for he is meek and lowly of heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.’ (Matthew 11, vv. 28–29)

This performance is by Barbara Bonney with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. It was recorded live in Freiburg Cathedral in 1999.

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