Which composer wrote the 'Hallelujah Chorus'?

George Frideric Handel wrote the “Hallelujah Chorus” in his oratorio Messiah.

The chorus is the final movement of Part II of Messiah, where it celebrates the triumph, resurrection, and reign of Christ. Handel composed Messiah in 1741, reportedly completing the large-scale work with remarkable speed. The first performance took place in Dublin on April 13, 1742, during Lent, and the piece soon became one of the best-known works in the choral repertoire.

Although Messiah is strongly associated with Christmas today, the “Hallelujah Chorus” is not a Nativity movement. Its text and dramatic position belong to the Easter-centered second part of the oratorio. That seasonal association is one of the most common things listeners get wrong about the work.

The chorus is scored for SATB choir and orchestra, including trumpets and timpani. Its bright D-major sound and repeated “Hallelujah” declarations create a striking contrast with the more reflective sections surrounding it. The custom of audiences standing during performances is traditionally linked to the London reception of the work, though the exact origin is uncertain.