When George Frideric Handel first performed his epic oratorio "Messiah" on April 13, 1742, in Dublin, it was presented as a fundraiser for the Irish city's charities. So from the very start, it became a beloved piece of public property.

It is that sense of common ownership that makes "Messiah" ---- best known for its familiar "Hallelujah" chorus ---- the most popular and most-performed piece of classical music in the world today.

And for "Messiah" lovers in San Diego County, there are a couple of ways to see and hear the work to suit your tastes this Christmas season. If you like to hear the full, uncut two-hour version, there are three performances in the next week. If you want to hear just the familiar "Christmas" portion, including the "Hallelujah" chorus, that's also available. If you just can't resist the urge to join in, there are several sing-along performances (the most ever) in locations around the county. And if you'd just like a bit of "Messiah" thrown in with more secular holiday music, there's an instrumental concert featuring "Messiah" excerpts on Monday.

"Messiah" (not "The Messiah," as is commonly misunderstood) was created by Handel at the request of the lord lieutenant of Dublin to create a sacred oratorio on the life of Christ. Using a libretto by a popular writer of the time, Charles Jennens, the manic-depressive Handel worked feverishly night and day to produce the "Messiah" score in just 24 days.

Recognized as Handel's greatest triumph, "Messiah" is recognized for authentically representing the drama of the libretto's words in musical terms ---- something quite unusual for composers of the baroque period. The "Hallelujah" chorus, for example, is shouted out in short bursts to remind the listener of the trumpets of angels.

On the day "Messiah" premiered in Dublin's 600-seat Neal's Musick Hall, the city newspaper admonished female patrons not to wear hoop skirts and for men to leave their swords at home. As a result, 700 people were able to cram into the hall, turning a fat profit of 400 British pounds, all of which went to charity.

Westwind Brass holiday concerts ---- Program includes selections from Handel's "Messiah," Christmas carols, Hanukkah music and a "Klezmer Nutcracker Suite"; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7; the Neurosciences Institute, 10640 John Jay Hopkins Drive, La Jolla; $15-$25; 619-501-3562.

Handel's "Messiah" Community Sing-Along ---- Mt. Carmel High School Choir's fundraising concert allows the public to sing along (scores can be borrowed on-site); 7 p.m. Dec. 7; Mt. Carmel High School Performing Arts Center, 9550 Carmel Mountain Road, Rancho Pensaquitos; $10, adults; $7, students (ages 8 and up preferred); 858-484-9144 or vbush1@san.rr.com.

Orchestra Nova: "Masterpiece Messiah" ---- The orchestra and Bach Collegium San Diego and soloists presents a series of performances of Handel's full-length holiday oratorio, featuring a video to enhance the performance, and soloists Virginia Sublett, Katherine Lundeen, Robert MacNeil and John Polhamus; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; St. Paul's Cathedral, 2728 Sixth Ave., San Diego; also at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, St. James-by-the-Sea, 743 Prospect Drive, La Jolla; and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, 120 Stevens Ave., Solana Beach; $25-$85; 858-350-0290 or orchestranova.org.

"Messiah" Sing-Along ---- University of San Diego Symphony presents its fourth annual performance of Part One of Mozart's orchestration of Handel's holiday oratorio; bring your own "Messiah" score or rent one at the door for $5; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11; Founders Chapel, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego; donation requested (benefits the James H. Kolar Amadeus Music Fund); 619-260-4171.

"Messiah-Sing" ---- La Jolla Symphony & Chorus presents its annual performance of the Christmas portion of Handel's holiday oratorio, where the audience is invited to sing along during the "Hallelujah" chorus (scores available for rent on-site); 4 p.m. Dec. 13; St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 6628, St. Isabel St., Carlsbad; $8-$15; 858-534-4637.

MiraCosta College's "Holiday Celebration" ---- The North Coast Symphony Orchestra, the Masterworks Chorale and the Chamber Chorale perform light classical music and seasonal selections including the "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah," "A Canadian Brass Christmas" and a Christmas carols sing-along; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 2 p.m. Dec. 20; MiraCosta College Theatre, 1 Barnard Drive, Oceanside; $10, general; $8, students and seniors; 760-795-6815 or miracosta.edu/events.