December 5, 2003

BYU-Idaho to present Handel’s Messiah Dec. 14

 

 

            More than 250 voices will combine with the BYU-Idaho University Orchestra and Concert Band in this year’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah” Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium.

            A free ticket will be required to attend the concert and may be reserved at the BYU-Idaho Ticket Office by calling 496-2230 or online at www.byui.edu/tickets.

            The concert will feature the BYU-Idaho Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir and Concert Chorale, as well as several student soloists. Combined with the University Orchestra and Concert Band, this year’s performance will include almost 350 students.

            Robert Tueller, who will direct this year’s performance, says the “Messiah” performance has been an annual tradition at BYU-Idaho for years, allowing the community and school to come together – regardless of religious denomination – to celebrate the birth and life of Christ.

            “The ‘Messiah’ is a symbol of the season. It’s an important of a tradition as many of the other things we do, unique to this time of year,” he says.

            The choirs, orchestra and band will perform mostly the first part of the “Messiah,” which focuses on the Savior’s birth, as well as all of the best known choruses and arias including the Hallelujah chorus, Tueller says.

            Completed more than 250 years ago, George Friderich Handel wrote the “Messiah” in three weeks, taking the text directly from the scriptures. Since then, the oratorio has been performed extensively, becoming a popular Christmas tradition throughout the world.

            “The piece is a universal celebration of the Savior's birth and ministry, beloved by all Christians for it's biblical message. Anyone wanting to celebrate the season would enjoy the performance,” Tueller says.

 

 

  


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