Charles Jennens

Definition

Charles Jennens was an English landowner and librettist best known for creating the text of Handel's oratorio 'Messiah'. His collaboration with Handel not only contributed to the development of English oratorio but also reflected the changing musical landscape in England during the Baroque period, where the genre began to gain popularity. Jennens's choice of biblical texts for 'Messiah' illustrated a shift towards more accessible and emotionally engaging works that appealed to a broader audience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Charles Jennens wrote the libretto for Handel's 'Messiah' in 1741, which has since become one of the most performed choral works in Western music.
2. Jennens was an advocate for the arts and had strong opinions about the moral and spiritual implications of music, believing that it should uplift and inspire.
3. Despite his significant contribution to 'Messiah', Jennens often had a tumultuous relationship with Handel, leading to disputes over artistic vision and recognition.
4. His choice of texts for 'Messiah' was carefully curated from the Bible, focusing on themes of redemption and prophecy, reflecting both personal beliefs and contemporary religious sentiments.
5. Jennens's influence extended beyond 'Messiah', as he also contributed to other works by Handel and played a role in promoting the oratorio as a popular musical form in England.

Review Questions

• How did Charles Jennens's work as a librettist impact the reception of Handel's 'Messiah' in England?
  • Charles Jennens's role as librettist significantly shaped how 'Messiah' was received in England. By selecting texts that were biblically relevant and emotionally resonant, he helped make the oratorio accessible to a wider audience. The themes of redemption and hope in the libretto resonated with the public, contributing to the popularity of 'Messiah' as it moved away from strictly operatic forms to a style that appealed to religious sentiments and cultural contexts of the time.
• Discuss the artistic relationship between Charles Jennens and Handel, including their collaborations and conflicts.
  • The relationship between Charles Jennens and Handel was both collaborative and contentious. While Jennens provided the libretto for 'Messiah', their artistic visions sometimes clashed, leading to disputes over aspects like interpretation and presentation. Despite these conflicts, their partnership resulted in one of the most celebrated works in Western music history. Jennens's insistence on moral integrity in music often contrasted with Handel’s commercial ambitions, highlighting the tension between art and commerce during this period.
• Evaluate how Charles Jennens's contributions to 'Messiah' reflected broader trends in Baroque music and culture during his time.
  • Charles Jennens's contributions to 'Messiah' exemplified broader trends in Baroque music that emphasized emotional expression and accessibility. As public interest shifted towards oratorios that conveyed religious themes without theatrical elements, Jennens capitalized on this movement by selecting texts that resonated with contemporary audiences. His work also mirrored societal changes, including a growing appreciation for personal faith and communal experiences through music. Ultimately, Jennens’s approach helped pave the way for future composers who would continue to explore similar themes in their works.

Related terms

Oratorio: A large-scale musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists that typically tells a religious story without acting or staging.

Libretto: The text or script of an opera or oratorio, which includes the lyrics and spoken dialogue.

George Frideric Handel: A German-born composer who became a key figure in Baroque music, known for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions, most notably 'Messiah'.