George Frideric Handel · 1685–1759 · German-British
| Composed | 1738 |
| Instrumentation | 2 2 0 2 — 0 2 3 0 — tmp — str — cont(org,hpsi) |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Soloists | SSATBB soloists drawn from the choir (no fixed dramatis personae — a narrative/psalmodic oratorio, not a drama) |
| Chorus | Yes |
| Tier | Core canon — standard repertoire |
| Editions & hire | Public domain — scores at IMSLP ↗ |
| Source | IMSLP ↗ |
Read in standard international shorthand: flutes · oboes · clarinets · bassoons — horns · trumpets · trombones · tuba — timpani · percussion — harp · keyboard. Section counts include doubling players. Always confirm against the publisher's official parts list before contracting musicians or renting materials.