Written in 1741, the three-part Oratorio Messiah HWV 56 is one of Georg Friedrich Händel’s best known works. Dedicated to the people of Ireland, it was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742. Händel compiled the texts for the oratorio from the Bible (chiefly from the prophetic books of the Old Testament). The first part of the oratorio is a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, the second tells the story of the Messiah’s life, death and resurrection, part three is about the mission to save humankind.