Chorale performs 'Messiah' at 3 venues
<p>John Zoltek turns to face the audience to lead a reprise of the "Hallelujah Chorus" at the close of the performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in 2011 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center.</p>
The Glacier Symphony and Chorale continues its annual holiday tradition of bringing George Frideric Handel’s iconic choral work, “Messiah,” to three venues in Flathead Valley this weekend.
John Zoltek, the symphony and chorale’s music director, will lead the Glacier Chorale and a small baroque-sized orchestra in a selection of choruses from Handel’s inspiring work. The concert will also include a brief selection of sacred Christmas choral pieces arranged by Chorale Conductor Jim Stanard.
Because the oratorio by Handel is more than three hours long, the chorale will perform a shorter version that focuses on some of “Messiah’s” best loved choruses, including “And the Glory of the Lord” and the majestic “Amen Chorus.”
The concert will conclude with the popular “Hallelujah Chorus,” which is considered one of the greatest sacred selections of the entire choral repertory. Typically audiences stand during the “Hallelujah Chorus,” a tradition that has continued from King George II of England’s day. It is said that the king was so overwhelmed by emotion at a performance of “Messiah” that he rose to his feet during the “Hallelujah Chorus,” thereby obligating his subjects to do the same. The tradition continues to this day.
According to Zoltek, “Messiah” has become something of a mainstay of the Christmas season, though it was actually written to celebrate the incarnation and resurrection of Christ and his ultimate glorification in heaven, and was originally performed during the Easter season.
The Friday concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of Pope John Paul II Catholic Church at 195 Coverdell Road in Bigfork. “Messiah” moves to the Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, the matinee performance will begin 3 p.m. at the Flathead High School performance hall in Kalispell.
Tickets are available in a range of prices. No free youth tickets will be available for this concert.
Consult the website www.gscmusic.org or call the office at 257-3241 for information.