One of the reasons I love Christmas is because of the yearly performance of Handel's Messiah at the Orpheum. This year saw guest conductor Bernard Labadie lead the Vancouver Chamber Choir, Vancouver Cantata Singers, and the Vancouver Chamber Orchestra.
The performance this time around was exceptionally good, probably because of Labadie's passionate approach, but as always, it's the message of the Messiah that soothes and lifts the soul, and the message is simple and powerful: our salvation through God in Christ. Handel brilliantly weaves texts from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, conveying to the listener the history of God and the world, God and Israel, Christ and the Church. It's a glorious work with an even more glorious message.
My favourite piece, if that is even possible, is the ending, taken from Revelation 5:9, 12-13: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and into the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
On our way out (I went with Ted and Karin), we were pleasantly surprised: it was snowing! It reminded me of the German Christmas carol: Leise Rieselt der Schnee (Softly falls the snow). A magical ending to a great evening.
The performance this time around was exceptionally good, probably because of Labadie's passionate approach, but as always, it's the message of the Messiah that soothes and lifts the soul, and the message is simple and powerful: our salvation through God in Christ. Handel brilliantly weaves texts from the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament, conveying to the listener the history of God and the world, God and Israel, Christ and the Church. It's a glorious work with an even more glorious message.
My favourite piece, if that is even possible, is the ending, taken from Revelation 5:9, 12-13: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, and hath redeemed us to God by his blood, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Blessing and honour, glory and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and into the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.
On our way out (I went with Ted and Karin), we were pleasantly surprised: it was snowing! It reminded me of the German Christmas carol: Leise Rieselt der Schnee (Softly falls the snow). A magical ending to a great evening.
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