SINCE BY MAN CAME DEATH

This powerful chorus from Handel's Messiah is a staple for Catholic and classical choirs, often sung during the Easter season or at solemn funeral Masses. The piece is built on a striking musical contrast that brings St. Paul's words to life. It opens with a slow, hushed quartet singing "Since by man came death," reflecting the solemn reality of human mortality.

Without warning, the full choir bursts in with a joyful, fast-paced chorus, declaring "By man came also the resurrection of the dead." This dramatic shift from quiet sorrow to explosive triumph repeats in the second half, moving from the tragedy of Adam's fall to the ultimate victory of being "made alive" in Christ. For a choir, mastering the sudden changes in tempo and volume is key to delivering the profound hope carried in the notes.