Many Voices, Trained and Untrained Alike, Come Together in 'Messiah'
Written by Jerilyn Watson
23 December 2005

Now, a VOA Special English program for the Christmas holiday.  I’m Mary Tillotson. 
 

George Frideric Handel

Each December, thousands of Americans take part in a traditional musical event called the “Messiah Sing-Along.”

In seventeen forty-one, German composer George Frideric Handel started writing an oratorio or musical drama called “Messiah.”  The music contains words from the Bible, the Christian holy book.  The words tell of the coming birth of Jesus of Nazareth.  They praise his life and tell of his death and return to life.

		Handel's Messiah

Many professional musicians have performed and recorded “Messiah.”  Every year, thousands of untrained singers from the public also perform this beautiful music. These people take part in a “Messiah Sing-Along” in churches or theaters. 

For example, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. holds this event each year before Christmas.

Listen now as the Tallis Chamber Choir shows why so many people want to sing “Messiah.”

(MUSIC)