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This weekend a tradition dating back to 1879 continues in Chicago. The Apollo Chorus of Chicago will present Handel’s Messiah, arguably the most beloved choral work in the world. This will be the eleventh and twelfth Messiahs I have sung with the chorus. Allow me to present a shameless plug for all Chicago Kossacks to join us in an unforgettable event which will move you to joy and tears.
Join me below the fold for more shameless plugging and a brief history of Messiah.
Messiah is, in Handel’s own words, a “sacred oratorio”. Unlike other oratorios, there is no dramatic parts, or a narrative. The text consists mainly scripture, with each verse chosen in a specific order detailing the birth, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.
The music for Messiah was completed in 24 days of swift composition. Having received the text some time after 10 July 1741, Handel began work on it on 22 August. His records show that he had completed Part I in outline by 28 August, Part II by 6 September and Part III by 12 September, followed by two days of "filling up" to produce the finished work on 14 September.
The work is divided into three parts: The first part is the “Christmas” part, in which prophecies about Jesus and story of the shepherds in the fields feature. The second part details the passion of Jesus and his suffering and resurrection and ascension. Part 2 concludes with the “Hallelujah” chorus. The third part concerns the glorification of God and Jesus in Heaven and the Last Days.
Now for the shameless plugging. I sing in the Apollo Chorus of Chicago. We have been performing Messiah since 1879. This year, we are performing on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. I encourage all Chicago area Kossacks to spend two and a half hours in musical rapture. Plenty of great seats are still available at harristheaterchicago.org.
Here’s a taste. This is the first chorus, “And The Glory Of The Lord”. It’s not the Christmas season until we sing this in rehearsal for the first time.
I hope to see you there, and now on to Tops!
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From AKALib:
In diary "Why Go To Mars? And other Planets and Moons,", all of these comments appeared!
In this comment, Floridamimi waxes poetically about the future of humankind.
In this comment, Tuatha de Dannan, provides a peek at the future and the scientific and technological advances that will take place along the way and gives a shout-out to "those doing the hard work of actually thinking our way out of the problems". Bravo.
Then, SouthernLeveller wrote this comment, which very succinctly captures the essence of the argument for space exploration.
From kalmoth:
I nominate drybones and NostroDanus for this clever, collaborative thread.
Highlighted by Heavy Mettle:
Is this comment, azureblue reams the nominal ‘leader,’ of the incompetents and unqualifieds.
Highlighted by jessica:
Is this comment by LV2N17, on ‘white ego fragility’ in the aftermath of the big win in Alabama.
Top Mojo ala mik!
For Thursday, December 14, 2017, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic! For those of you interested in How Top Mojo Works, please see his diary on the subject.
Top Pictures
2017-12-15, courtesy of jotter!