Handel's 'Messiah' will be performed twice tonight in New York City, with the New York Philharmonic presenting the full oratorio at Lincoln Center and Trinity Church offering a condensed version downtown. Trinity Church, which hosted one of the earliest American performances of 'Messiah' in 1770, will present only Part I, along with the famous 'Hallelujah Chorus' and 'Amen,' marking the first time in decades the church has not performed the work in its entirety. The choir will sing from memory for the first time in recent history, aiming to create a more engaging experience for both singers and audience. Melissa Attebury, Trinity's new director of music, hopes the shorter format and lower ticket prices will make the performance more accessible to families during the busy season, while still preserving the oratorio's message of hope and anticipation.