After 15 years without hearing anything but short segments of one of the best known and most performed choral works in Western music, tapatíos are about to get an earful of “The Messiah.”
Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with English lyrics drawn from the King James Bible, the piece has been chosen as the concierto navideño (Christmas concert) of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra and the State Choir. The acclaimed oratorio is being performed this weekend (Friday, December 5, 8:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 7, 12:30 p.m.) in the acoustically excellent Teatro Degollado in downtown Guadalajara.
“The last time the State Choir did the entire ‘Messiah’ was 15 years ago,” noted Choir Director Sergio Hernández.
The fact that the work has been selected is probably due to the relatively new director of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra, Marco Parisotto. Although
Parisotto is not directing this performance, his Canadian roots probably led him to select “The Messiah,” said an orchestra insider.
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