Elevating Art

In this year of George Frederic Handel's anniversary, it is worth remembering two particular anecdotes relating to his famous oratorio, Messiah. They tell us something of the aim of good art, which is to lift us above ourselves, that we might walk away from it elevated, in a manner of speaking, and edified, our souls raised higher than they were before. Both literally and figuratively, this point is illustrated here.

Letter of James Beattie to the Rev. Dr. Laing, May 25, 1780, in William Forbes, An Account of the Life and Writings of James Beattie, L.L.D., pp. 330-331:

I lately heard two anecdotes, which deserve to be put in writing, and which you will be glad to hear. When Handel's "Messiah" was first performed, the audience were exceedingly struck and affected by the music in general; but when that chorus struck up, "For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth," they were so transported, that they all, together with the King, (who happened to be present) started up, and remained standing till the chorus ended: And hence it became the fashion in England for the audience to stand while that part of the music is performing. Some days after the first exhibition of the same divine oratorio, Mr. Handel came to pay his respects to Lord Kinnoul, with whom he was particularly acquainted. His Lordship, as was natural, paid him some compliments on the noble entertainment which he had lately given the town. "My Lord," said Handel, "I should be sorry if I only entertained them; I wish to make them better." These two anecdotes I had from Lord Kinnoul himself. You will agree with me, that the first does great honour to Handel, to music, and to the English nation: The second tends to confirm my theory, and Sir John Hawkins's testimony, that Handel, in spite of all that has been said to the contrary, must have been a pious man."