1. "Messiah": Composed in 1741 and first performed in Dublin, Ireland, Handel's "Messiah" is considered one of the most beloved and widely recognized oratorios in Western classical music. It consists of three parts and recounts the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, featuring unforgettable choruses such as "Hallelujah" and "For Unto Us a Child Is Born."
2. "Judas Maccabaeus": Premiered in 1747, "Judas Maccabaeus" is another celebrated oratorio by Handel. Based on the story of the Maccabees from the Apocrypha, it narrates the heroic deeds of Judas Maccabaeus in leading the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid Empire during the 2nd century BC. This oratorio is known for its dramatic choruses, such as "See, the Conqu'ring Hero Comes," as well as the inspiring aria "Sound an Alarm."