Get Real: Welcome back, Handel's Messiah

So, there I was in the balcony of Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine, Saturday night, Dec. 20, for the return of Handel's Messiah.

I've lived in Kincardine for 30 years and I have never seen this performance. Not because I didn't want to, but because we were always busy - it being the weekend before Christmas Day.

The show has been a tradition in Kincardine for the past 23 years, presented as part of the Kincardine Summer Music Festival. After there was no performance last year, the Kincardine Messiah Society took over the event and is honoured to continue this tradition which for many, marks the start of the Christmas season.

My husband saw the story about the return of the Messiah in Kincardine, and suggested we go. I was a bit surprised and reminded him that this is an opera, meaning classical music. There would be no country music or bagpipes featured anywhere.

He still wanted to go, so I got tickets and there we were, staring down at the church sanctuary, filled with about 30 musicians, 30 choral singers, and four soloists, under the direction of conductor Rob Tite, and a sold-out crowd.

Just in case you're not familiar with the show, Handel's Messiah tells the complete story of Jesus Christ — from Old Testament prophecies of the Savior (Part I), through his Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection (Part 2), to the promise of redemption and eternal life (Part 3). Composed in just 24 days in 1741 by G.F. Handel, it uses biblical texts compiled by Charles Jennens, becoming a beloved masterpiece, famous for the "Hallelujah Chorus" and traditionally performed at Christmas and Easter.

Well, in a word, the performance was tremendous! The music, the singing, the story - it was all so incredibly beautiful. I wanted to clap after each song, but apparently, that is not done. Like an opera, it tells a story and your opportunity to applaud comes at the end of each part.

Of course, everyone's favourite song is the "Hallelujah Chorus" for which the audience must stand. And once it has ended, then you can clap. And at the very end, the entire audience rose in a very enthusiastic standing ovation, followed by our opportunity to sing the "Hallelujah Chorus" as Tite conducted us from his pedestal down below.



Orchestra Grey Bruce and the Saugeen County Chorus perform the "Hallelujah Chorus" during Handel's Messiah at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine, Saturday, Dec. 20

Congratulations to the Kincardine Messiah Society, the chorus, the orchestra, the conductor, and especially the soloists: soprano Liz Coates, alto Megan Gramigna, tenor John De Jager, and bass John Low, and concertmaster Paul Earle, for a superb performance.

If you've never seen it, make arrangements to go next year. I certainly plan to go again!



About 30 musicians, 30 choral singers and four soloists fill the front of the sanctuary at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine, for Handel's Messiah



The soloists include tenor John De Jager (left), soprano Liz Coates, alton Megan Gramigna and bass John Low



Orchestra Grey Bruce and the Saugeen County Chorus perform Handel's Messiah at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine