On this edition of Milestones of the Millennium, Harvard University Professor and early music specialist Thomas Kelly joins PT host Lisa Simeone. Kelly takes us back in time to Dublin, Ireland for the 1742 premiere of George Frederic Handel's oratorio the "Messiah." Today, it is hard to believe there was a first time the piece was performed. The "Messiah" has long since become a universal symbol of rejoicing, familiar almost everywhere in the world.

But at the time of its premiere, the "Messiah" was avant-garde and controversial. Though we so often here it in church today, it was originally intended for a theatrical audience. Handel was exploring many new concepts and could not have been certain how they would be received in either setting. The words were taken directly from the Bible, something many saw as daring, if not outright sacrilegious. Perhaps worse was the fact that some of the singers of such holy words were "theater people" and this "sacred oratorio" was to be performed in a playhouse.

Kelly vividly describes the surroundings, the actual performers and other colorful characters present at this momentous occasion. Experience the first unveiling of the "Messiah", with Handel himself conducting.

From the Milestones of the Millenium series. Note: music parts have been edited from the commentary due to internet rights issues. (This audio segment requires the free RealPlayer 5.0 or higher. You can also listen with a 14.4 connection)