Handel:Messiah and Prisoners

In 1742 Frederic Handel  composed the MESSIAH specifically  for 3 charity organizations, in Dublin, Ireland- Prisoners, Mercer Hospital, and Charitable Infirmary. The first performance was on April 13, 1742 since the composition was originally intended to be performed at  Easter.  With the money from the performance, it was reported that 142 indebted prisoners were released.