The city of Rexburg is hosting a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” this weekend. It comes just a few days before Christmas to celebrate the life and mission of Jesus Christ.
“Handel’s Messiah” is a three-part oratorio, or religious musical performance, that details the life and mission of Jesus Christ. For Rexburg, it will feature a choir made of community members along with four soloists who all make up a hybrid concert and sing-in for the audience.
Heidi Pyper is the music specialist for the Cultural Arts Department for the city of Rexburg. She helps to create arts and music-based experiences for the whole community to enjoy.
“It’s a very famous piece of music that’s much-loved,” Pyper said. “It’s one of the most performed choral works in Western music. There’s always people doing it, both at Christmas time and Easter.”
Pyper says the music in Handel’s “Messiah” is both complex and historic.
“It’s beefy music,” Pyper said. “It’s very challenging to sing and play. It’s just beautiful and glorious. It’s been around since Handel composed it in 1741.”
The words sung in the performance are nearly 300 years old.
“It’s a great way to focus on Christ,” Pyper said. “The text is all from the scriptures and it’s about Christ’s life and mission and premortal existence and His role as the Savior and Messiah.”
Handel’s “Messiah” is usually a three-part performance that lasts around three hours, but the city is only doing highlights of the full show to make it easier for people with kids and larger families. The whole performance is expected to last around an hour.
Pyper says the show will uplift those in attendance.
“When it’s all put together, it feels like a really good offering to the Savior in a small way,” Pyper said. “I love the way that it feels elegant and worshipful and elevated. It’s a great way to think about the Savior and worship Him at His birth.”
Handel’s “Messiah” will start Sunday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Rexburg Tabernacle. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is free.