One of the most anticipated events of the holiday season in Boston is the return of Handel + Hayden Society’s Messiah. This year was extremely special as they celebrated the ensemble’s 400th complete performance of George Frideric Handel’s masterpiece. When it first debuted in 1818, they never could have envisioned it would continue to perform for 161 consecutive years.
We attended the beautiful performance that included the famous Hallelujah chorus this year at Boston’s historic Symphony Hall, which featured talented musicians playing the bass, cello, Sassoon, trumpet, viola, violin, oboe, timpani and organ. This year’s performances included soprano Joélle Harvey, countertenor Tim Mead, tenor Allan Clayton, and bass Brindley Sherratt.
This coming weekend, the Handel and Haydn Society performs another holiday program - a carol sing-along for all ages at the Great Hall in Faneuil Hall. Lisa Graham, choral director at Wellesley College and a member of H+H’s conducting faculty for 10 years, leads the program, which includes the acclaimed H+H Chorus, Brass Quintet, and members of the Vocal Arts Program’s Youth Chorus and Singers, Young Women’s Chamber Choir, and Young Men’s Choruses.
This merry, hour-long concert on Saturday, December 13 at 1 p.m. is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the holiday spirit in music and introduce friends and family to the great choral gems of H+H. Musical selections of popular and lesser-known holiday music include Parry’s Welcome Yule, Angels We Have Heard on High, Joy to the World, and—H+H’s calling card— the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
Other Handel + Hayden events this holiday season include A Bach Christmas with performances being held:
December 18, 2014, 7.30pm at NEC’s Jordan Hall
December 21, 2014, 3pm at NEC’s Jordan Hall
For more information, visit www.handelandhaydn.org or call the Box Office at (617) 266-3605.