Glacier Symphony, Chorale perform holiday favorite

Glacier Symphony and Chorale will celebrate a holiday tradition with George Frideric Handel’s iconic work “Messiah” at two locations this month.

The oratorio as written is more than three hours long, but Glacier Symphony and Chorale will perform a shorter version that focuses on some of “Messiah’s” best loved, magnificent choruses, including “And the Glory of the Lord” and the majestic “Amen Chorus.”

The concert will conclude with the popular “Hallelujah Chorus,” considered to be one of the greatest sacred selections of the entire choral repertory.

Typically audiences stand during the “Hallelujah Chorus,” a tradition that has continued from England’s King George II. 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,” therefore obligating his loyal subjects to do the same. The tradition continues to this day.

The performance features the full Glacier Chorale and selected soloists with a smaller “Messiah” orchestra, and will be conducted by John Zoltek, Glacier Symphony and Chorale’s music director.

“Messiah” has become somewhat of a mainstay of the Christmas season, Zoltek says. The piece, however, was actually written to celebrate the incarnation and resurrection of Christ and his ultimate glorification in heaven. “Messiah” was originally performed during the Easter season.

Glacier Symphony and Chorale will perform “Messiah” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center, and at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 in the Flathead High School auditorium in Kalispell.

Special ticket pricing is offered for these performances. All youths through grade 12 get in for $10. Adult and senior tickets are offered in a range of prices and seating tiers, and groups of 10 or more can get a 20 percent discount.

For more information, visit gscmusic.org or call 407-7000.