Choral Union sings 'Messiah' in period form
On Saturday, the Elgin Choral Union will present George Frideric Handel's most famous composition, the "Messiah" at 7 p.m. in the Blizzard Theatre at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.
But this is no ordinary presentation of this master choral work. Instead, it is a performance that has been conceived to be as true as possible to the 1742 world premiere of "Messiah" in Dublin, Ireland, which was conducted by Handel himself.
Conductor Andrew Lewis and the Elgin Choral Union will help you kick off the holiday season with this special presentation of the entire "Messiah" -- including many choruses you've likely never heard.
Renowned Chicago countertenor Ryan Belongie will sing many of the mezzo-soprano parts, which would have been commonplace during the Baroque period (from about 1600 to 1750). Boy soprano Addison McDaniel also will sing solo sections.
The 115-voice Elgin Choral Union will be accompanied by the Janus Ensemble, a group of world-class musicians that focuses on historically informed performances of Renaissance and Baroque music.
Period instruments will be exclusively used for the performance, including harpsichord, organ, and kettle drums (timpani), as well as Baroque violins (the bridge is less convex than that of a modern violin, and a significantly different bow is used), violas, cellos, and bass-violone (similar to a double-bass). All of these stringed instruments play using gut strings. The Baroque oboe features a softer, more nasal sound, and Baroque trumpets use no valves to help with pitch -- it is the lip of the player that determines the pitch, with the aid of a few buttons for pitch-bending.
Handel's "Messiah" has proven not only to be the great composer's most enduring masterpiece, but perhaps the most influential musical work of any time and any hemisphere.
Not only were performances in Handel's day legion, "Messiah" is the single most performed classical work today. Since the time of Handel's death, choral societies have popped up all over the globe for the express purpose of performing this peerless oratorio.
The secret? Handel imbues the story of Christ with wonder, joy, drama, passion, and empathy. He grabs the listener's attention with elegant, finely spun melodies, triumphant choruses and heroic vocal fireworks.
The Elgin Choral Union's performance brings renewed attention to historically informed performance practice, and is certain to guarantee every musical aficionado an inspired evening.
Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for students, or $5 for children, age 10 and younger with an adult. All prices include a $1 per ticket surcharge. For tickets, call the ECC box office at (847) 622-0300.
The Elgin Choral Union is celebrating its 61st year. Its members are drawn from more than 30 communities. For information on this performance, call Lisa Wright, executive director, at (847) 214-7513.