were there live performances of the original work?
No, they are based on one of three 20th-century performing editions
Editions
The first published score of 1767, together with Handel's documented adaptations and recompositions of various movements, has been the basis for many performing versions since the composer's lifetime. Modern performances which seek authenticity tend to be based on one of three 20th-century performing editions. These all use different methods of numbering movements:
who wrote the hallelujah chorus from handel messiah George Frideric Handel what is it? It is an English-language oratorio, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the Coverdale Psalter, the version of the "Psalms" included with the "Book of Common Prayer". when was it composed? 1741 how many parts does it have? 3 parts was it ever recorded? In 1926 by whom? Sir Henry Wood on what was it recorded? UNANSWERABLE do you know the full name of the knight you just mentioned? Sir Henry Joseph Wood
UNANSWERABLE UNANSWERABLE Yes, in the Albert Hall, the Queen's Hall and the Crystal Palace
Messiah (Handel)
20th century and beyond
the places in which he performed the 'Messiah' were mere drawing-rooms when compared with the Albert Hall, the Queen's Hall and the Crystal Palace. In Australia, "The Register" protested at the prospect of performances by "trumpery little church choirs of 20 voices or so".
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Messiah (Handel) [SEP] Editions
The first published score of 1767, together with Handel's documented adaptations and recompositions of various movements, has been the basis for many performing versions since the composer's lifetime. Modern performances which seek authenticity tend to be based on one of three 20th-century performing editions. These all use different methods of numbering movements: The edition edited by Friedrich Chrysander and Max Seiffert for the Deutsche Händel-Gesellschaft (Berlin, 1902) is not a general performing edition, but has been used as a basis of scholarship and research. In addition to Mozart's well-known reorchestration, arrangements for larger orchestral forces exist by Goossens and Andrew Davis; both have been recorded at least once, on the RCA and Chandos labels respectively.