Symphony and Chorale to perfom Messiah in Bigfork

 The Glacier Symphony and Chorale continues its annual holiday tradition of bringing George Frideric Handel’s iconic “Messiah” to Bigfork and other venues in Flathead Valley Dec. 12-14. 

Music Director of the GSC, John Zoltek, will lead the Glacier Chorale and a small chamber orchestra in a selection of choruses from this inspiring work.

Because the oratorio by Handel is over three hours in length, the GSC will perform a shorter version that focuses on some of the Messiah’s best loved, magnificent choruses including “And the Glory of the Lord” and the majestic “Amen Chorus.” It will conclude with the popular “Hallelujah Chorus” considered to be one of the greatest sacred selections of the entire choral repertory. Typically audiences stand during the Hallelujah Chorus, a tradition that has continued from King George II of England’s day. It is said that the King was so overwhelmed by emotion at a performance of Messiah that he rose to his feet during the Hallelujah chorus, therefore obligating his loyal subjects to do the same. The tradition continues to this day.

According to Music Director Zoltek, the Messiah has become a mainstay of the Christmas season, though it was actually written to celebrate the incarnation and resurrection of Christ and his ultimate glorification in heaven. Messiah was originally performed during the Easter season. Performing the solo sections of the Messiah will be singers from the Glacier Chorale. They include sopranos Katie Christensen and Nicole Sanford, alto Kari Donovan, tenor Josh Holloway and bass Brad Seaman.  

The Friday, Dec. 12, concert will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana Highway 35, Bigfork, at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 13, the Messiah moves to Whitefish Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. The Sunday, Dec. 14 matinee performance begins at 3 p.m. at Flathead High Performance Hall in Kalispell.

Tickets are available in a range of seating tiers. Buy online at www.gscmusic.org.