Conductor and collaborator Kedrick Armstrong returns to Galesburg to lead members of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, a chorus of local and regional singers, and soloists Kirsten Leslie Karadzhova, soprano; Rachel Vickers, mezzo-soprano; Lucas Wood, tenor; and Thomas Clark, bass-baritone. To ring in this festive holiday season, the musicians will be performing Part 1 of Handel’s Messiah, better known as the Christmas portion. The performance begins at 4:30 PM on Sunday, December 19 and will take place at Central Congregational Church in downtown Galesburg. This concert is free and open to the public; free will donations will be accepted at the door. In accordance with CDC and IDPH guidelines, masks or approved face coverings are required while indoors. Support for this performance comes, in part, from the City of Galesburg, Blick Art Materials, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Composed in just over three weeks, George Fredric Handel’s setting of the story of the Messiah is not only one of the most iconic examples of Baroque Oratorio, it contains some of the most celebrated music of the Western canon. An epic work which, in its entirety, tells the story of Jesus’s life from the first prophecies to the Ascension, the Messiah was originally an Easter offering. The classic abridged version, lasting approximately 60 minutes and including Part One and the finale “Hallelujah!” chorus has become a beloved holiday tradition across the world. The original score was written for a relatively small handful of singers and instrumentalists and was often performed at both Easter and Christmas. Over time, however, it became generally a Christmas production — and the forces performing it often became quite massive. These large performances give Messiah some real heft and power. But by presenting it in a manner more in line with what Handel intended — and closer to the way the KGS members and singers will perform it, with a smaller orchestra and a chorus of just over 20 singers — the audience “will experience Messiah much like the first audience heard it,” says Lucas Wood, executive director of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony.
Handel’s Messiah received its world premiere on April 13, 1742, in the Great Music Hall in Dublin, Ireland, to an audience of 700 people. In order to fit as many people into the hall as possible, the men were asked to remove their swords and the ladies were to refrain from wearing hoops under their dresses. This premier performance was part of a series showcasing Handel’s new compositions and the concert proceeds were divided between various charitable organizations in Dublin. Keeping with the charitable tradition, a portion of the proceeds from the performance on December 19 will be distributed to various local charitable organizations.
Wood states, “as we continue to navigate a world changed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, music brings us solace and familiarity. ‘Comfort ye my people.’ This opening text of Messiah summarizes the spirituality of music – we are all united together through harmonies and texture and encouraged to simply listen and feel the peace and togetherness that this work has brought audiences for more than two centuries.”
Celebrate this festive masterpiece with members of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony, chorus, and soloists on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at 4:30PM in the historic Central Congregational Church in Galesburg (60 Public Square). Kedrick Armstrong returns to Galesburg to lead this performance that will put all listeners in the holiday spirit. This concert is free and open to the public; free will donations will be accepted at the door. In accordance with CDC and IDPH guidelines, masks or approved face coverings are required while indoors. Support for this performance comes, in part, from the City of Galesburg, Blick Art Materials, and the Illinois Arts Council Agency. For more information, visit www.KGSymphony.org
***Report Courtesy of the Knox-Galesburg Symphony***
