Kick-Off Holiday Season with Utah Symphony's Annual Performance of Handel's MESSIAH

Holiday tradition continues with the Utah Symphony's annual performance of Handel's "Messiah" on Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. Maestro Thierry Fischer conducts the Utah Symphony, the Utah Symphony Chorus and the 2000-voice Abravanel Hall audience in this traditional kick- off to the Salt Lake City holiday season. Bring your score so you can sing along to the music that, last year, Fischer called "a masterpiece that is truly inspiring." Tickets, priced from $18 to $69, ($10 for students) are available for purchase through www.utahsymphony.org or by calling (801) 355-2787.

Handel's "Messiah" is an oratorio, religious music with a story sung by a choir. At the time of the composition, Handel's operas had run their course with audiences and had fallen out of favor. In less than a month, Handel had composed "Messiah," a feat which he said was only possible because the heavens seemed to open to him.

This performance will feature baritone Chris Clayton, soprano Melissa Heath, and Utah Resident Artists mezzo-soprano Abigail Levis and tenor Tyson Miller, who will perform the solos and blend their voices with the Utah Symphony Chorus and audience members. At Saturday evening's performance only, members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be seated in the audience and sing alongside symphony goers.

The practice of standing for the "Hallelujah" Chorus is the stuff of legend. The lore follows that King George II first stood for the chorus in 1743, making it necessary for all of his subjects to stand. No one actually knows whether or not he did this or if he was even at the performance. Another legend states that the audience rose to their feet in awe at Handel's mastery as a spontaneous show of emotion during the premiere. It is also interesting to note that, contrary to modern convention, Handel clearly intended "Messiah" for the Easter observances rather than Christmas and the performances during his day were always given in the spring.