Messiah

Editorial

Most people know the Hallelujah Chorus; it's the song that's a favourite at Christmas carol performances, and everyone stands up when it begins. Regardless of religious convictions, it's a wonderfully joyous piece of choral music. But it is just one part of Messiah, a much bigger choral work by George Handel.

Written in just 24 days back in 1741, and using the King James Bible, mostly the Old Testament and its prophecies of the coming of the Messiah, this is Handel's most famous work, and the Messiah is still performed around Christmas over 250 years later.

This year, the Queensland Orchestra is presenting it as a fitting finale to its 2009 concert season and is delighted to have the acclaimed English choral conductor Stephen Layton involved. He is something of a Handel expert and has selected the singers himself, which include world-famous baritone David Wilson-Johnson, alongside soprano Miriam Allen, counter tenor Christopher Field, tenor Paul McMahon and the Brisbane Chorale Choir.

Incidentally, the standing up thing for the Hallelujah Chorus is King George II's doing. During a performance, he stood as the chorus began and of course, everyone else had to follow suit. Exactly why he stood at that point no one really knows, but theories abound… Whatever the reason, this is one performance you won't want to miss out on.

For more information, visit QPAC.

Tim Hunter, Citysearch