“The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.”
(Isaiah 9:1)
In the days of the prophet Isaiah, a dark cloud hovered over the kingdom of Judah. The existential threat from the Assyrian Empire was real and tangible. The people were truly walking in darkness, in the valley of the shadow of death.
History seems to repeat itself. Time and again, the people of Israel have walked in the valley of the shadow of death, and time and again they beheld this powerful promise: Those who walked in darkness and in the valley of the shadow of death have seen a great light — their hope did not fade because God promised that “a light has shined upon them.” What is this light? That is explained in the second segment.
Credits
Lyrics: Isaiah (various verses)
Music: George Frideric Handel (1685–1759)
Symphonic Arrangement: Yaron Gottfried
Modern Arrangement: Gal Padeh, Avi Singolda
Production: Eitan Kashtan
Musical Production: Gal Padeh, Avi Singolda
Conductor: Yaron Gottfried
Vocals: Nitzan Ofir
Choir/Backing Vocals: Nitzan Ofir, Gabriela Zarchenko, Gal Padeh, Noi Ashraf
Orchestra (strings, oboes, horns): Israeli Symphony Orchestra – Rishon LeZion
Guitars: Avi Singolda
Drums and Percussion: Gal Padeh, Asher Padeh, Nir Zadikiah
Bass Guitar: Yorai Oron
Keyboards: Gal Padeh
Orchestra Recording: Ono Academic College – Yuval Segal
Recording & Mixing: Gal Padeh – Studio 39
Mastering: Justin Sturtz – Sterling Sound – Nashville, TN, USA
Clip Production
Producer: Michal Guily
Director: Eitan Ashkenazi
Production Manager: Liora Galberg
Production Assistants: Gaya Alon, Tal Maryuma, Maor Guily, Bar Reuven
Cinematography Van: Nivran
Cinematographers: Sapir Even-Chen, Eran Horowitz, Roy Keren
Drone Operator: Yaron Zilber
Lighting Design: Shay Swisa
Teleprompter: Itamar Goldman
Stylists: Gili Algavi, Kinneret Mizrachi
Lead Performer/Conductor: Inbal Rozenhoiz
Supporting Singers and Musicians
Video Editing: Almog Maimoni
About “Messiah”
Messiah is an oratorio by George Frideric Handel, composed in 1741, and is considered one of the greatest masterpieces in classical vocal music. In Messiah, Handel portrays the figure of the Messiah as revealed in Scripture — from the prophetic announcements of His coming to the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Most of the lyrics are drawn from the Bible, primarily from the Book of Isaiah — as is the case in this Hebrew version.
Handel’s Messiah has been performed in Hebrew in its original classical form. In this project, we’ve produced four central movements, each conveying a powerful and uplifting message meant to encourage and plant hope in Israel and the nations, in light of God’s promises about the coming of the Messiah.
Each piece is performed in a unique classical-modern fusion, designed to make the message clear, powerful, and resonant for every ear. We are deeply thankful to the many who contributed to this special production, and we pray that through these scriptures drawn from God’s Word, many hearts will be touched with hope and comfort.
Above all, we give thanks to God for His promises of the coming Messiah, for the child who was born to us, and for the great light we have seen, even in the midst of darkness.
We thank Him for the comfort He brings to His people, and we proclaim: Hallelujah!
