A seldom-heard 'Messiah' in Elgin
George Frideric Handel won't be there. And location-wise, Elgin isn't exactly Dublin.
But in just about every other aspect, this weekend's performance of the "Messiah" attempts to duplicate the premiere of Handel's most famous work.
The Elgin Choral Union's performance 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.
The show takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Blizzard Theatre of the Visual & Performing Arts Center at Elgin Community College.
Music director Andrew Lewis and the Elgin Choral Union will begin the holiday season with the entire "Messiah" -- including many choruses you've likely never heard.
"What makes this a great show is that the entire 'Messiah' is performed," said Lisa Wright, executive director of the Elgin Choral Union. "It's not generally done."
Lewis took the "Messiah" score and made slight modifications to fit the dynamics of a piece played with Baroque instruments, according to Wright.
"He modified the score to make it truest to the original," she said.
Chicago countertenor Ryan Belongie will sing many of the mezzo-soprano parts, which would have been commonplace during the Baroque period, 1600 to 1750.
Boy soprano Addison McDaniel will sing solo sections.
The 115-voice Elgin Choral Union will be accompanied by the Janus Ensemble, a group of musicians who focus on historically informed performances of Renaissance and Baroque music. The ensemble travels across the country, performing their renditions of historic works.
"They are a premiere ensemble and world-class musicians," Wright said.
"I'm thrilled that they are coming."
Period instruments will be used exclusively for the performance, including harpsichord, organ, and kettle drums (timpani), as well as Baroque violins (on which the bridge is less convex and a significantly different bow is used), violas, cellos, and bass-violone (similar to a double-bass). All of these stringed instruments have 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 in any hemisphere.
While performances in Handel's day are legion, the "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 Elgin Choral Union's performance brings renewed attention to historically informed performance practice, and is certain to guarantee an inspired evening to every musical aficionado.
"This is a great way to get a jump-start to the holiday season," Write said.
Concert-goers won't have to interrupt other holiday parties and get-togethers -- which, as we all know, increase exponentially as the holidays get closer.
Tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for students, or $5 for children, age 10 and younger with an adult. All tickets 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 as the premiere chorus in the Fox Valley region. Its members are drawn from more than 30 communities.
For details on the performance, call Lisa Wright at (847) 214-7513.
If you go
What: Handel's "Messiah" performed by the Elgin Choral Union
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Blizzard Theatre in the Visual & Performing Arts Center at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin
Admission: $23 for adults, $18 for seniors, $15 for students, and $5 for children, age 10 and younger with an adult.
Information: Call box office at (847) 622-0300.