London, 1741. Health at its end, financially ruined, and isolated despite past successes, Georg Friedrich Handel lives in deep despair. The source of his musical creativity seems to have run dry. But then a manuscript falls into his hands, touching him in a strange way. New strength flows through him, and eventually, the music bursts forth from him that will make him and his work immortal: "The Messiah." Stefan Zweig's moving narrative about the creation of "The Messiah" is filled with hope and passion, imbued with the belief in a creative force that is stronger than death. Includes the complete libretto of "The Messiah.".