'Messiah' performance a holiday tradition
12/3/2008
Messenger-Inquirer
More than 100 singers from the Owensboro Choral Society and the Owensboro Symphony Chorus will present Handel's "Messiah" to benefit the Goodfellows Club on Sunday.
This is the 68th year the Owensboro Choral Society is performing the Christmas portion of Handel's classic piece, and this is the first year the Owensboro Symphony Chorus is singing. The Owensboro Symphony Orchestra is also performing in this production of Handel's "Messiah" for the first time.
"We're singing with the symphony, so the chorus is tremendously excited," said Diane Earle, who directs the Owensboro Symphony Chorus and is coordinating the choruses for the "Messiah."
The show will be presented at First Christian Church for the second consecutive year, and admission is free. A collection is taken up to benefit the Goodfellows Club during the performance.
Handel's "Messiah" was written in 1741, and it took him three weeks to compose the piece, Earle said. After writing the "Hallelujah" chorus, Handel said he felt like the gates of Heaven had opened and he had seen God, according to Earle.
"He was just moved," Earle said. "I think you hear that inspiration in his music."
The "Messiah" tells the story of Jesus' life, beginning with Old Testament predictions from the Book of Isaiah about Jesus to his birth and death.
The entire piece is actually three hours long, but Sunday's concert will feature just this Christmas portion, which is about an hour long.
"The Goodfellows (Club) is a wonderful organization," Earle said. "We're hoping since more people are involved ... the offering will be bigger and more generous. We're encouraging everyone in the chorus and their friends to give generously. (It's a) wonderful, wonderful tradition."
If you would like to help support the Goodfellows Club, donations can be made to Goodfellows Club, Messenger-Inquirer, P.O. Box 1480, Owensboro, KY 42302; or by bringing contributions to the newspaper office at 1401 Frederica St.
Today's Roll Call
Previously reported $5,349.40
East View Elementary Staff $500
In memory of Bob Payne by General Glass Company Inc. $300
Retired Postal Workers Breakfast Group $110
Owensboro Area Doll Club $100
In loving memory of Jim Burns on his birthday, Dec. 3, by Wife and family $25
In memory of Randy Cline $25
In memory of Randall Pean by family $20
In memory of Zelma Cecil $20
Total as of Dec. 3 $6,449.40
--
To Attend
The Owensboro Choral Society, Owensboro Symphony Chorus and Owensboro Symphony Orchestra will present Handel's "Messiah" at 3 p.m. Sunday at First Christian Church, 700 J.R. Miller Blvd.
