December 14 - Advent Activity

Attend Handel's Messiah Interfaith Community Sing-in.



We were given the music and could follow along and sing when the chorus sang.


The chorus was AMAZING! So were the soloists. Julia was going to be part of the chorus but she was unable to attend some of the practices. She is great at sight reading, so maybe next time I'll just send her up on the stand anyway.


I remember my Aunt Sybil telling me how she enjoyed going to a church downtown Chicago and participating in the Community Sing-in of the Messiah. I thought of her while we attended this.


Here is what the program shared about Handel and Messiah.


George Frederick Handel was born in Halle, Germany, on February 23, 1685. He was an accomplished organist at the age of SEVEN, studied the organ, clavier, and violin under the masters, and wrote his first compositions and opera at the age of nineteen.


Handel composed Messiahin 24 days without once leaving his house. He worked day and night and often forgot to eat. While writing the "Hallelujah Chorus", his servant discovered him with tears in his eyes. He exclaimed, "I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God Himself!"


Handel died in 1759 at the age of seventy-four, and was buried in the Poet's Corner at Westminster Abbey. His tomb reads: "I Know That My Redeemer Liveth."


Messiah:

Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742 at Easter, for a charity concert. Handel created the oratorio using scripture verses from the Old and New Testament of the bible, which were arranged by his friend, Charles Jennens. He divided the oratorio into three parts representing Christ's birth, death, and resurrection; each part breaking down into a series of arias and choruses.


During the Hallelujah Chorus, it is tradition to stand because upon his first viewing of the performance of this piece, the King of England was so moved, he rose to his feet. Out of respect for the King, the audience also rose, and the practice continues today. Editor's side note: It was AMAZING to stand and hear everyone sing with the chorus.


What an inspired piece of music. It was witnessed over and over that the message sung to this inspired music is true. Jesus is our Christ. He LIVES.