Die kunstenaars / The artistsDirigent / Conductor: Neels Boonzaaier
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Kaartjies / Tickets:Tickets at R50 are available from choir members, at the door, via e-mail or by phone : Annelies Alkema 343-5557; 082-644-6554 NB. There are no reservations |
George Frederick Handel was born in Halle in Lower Saxony, on 23 February 1685. His name was spelt Händel, but, like most 18th century musicians, he compromised with the pronunciation by foreigners. When in Italy he spelt it Hendel, and in England, where he became naturalized, he accepted the version Handel
His father was a barber-surgeon who disapproved of music. A friend smuggled a clavichord into the attic, which is inaudible behind a closed door. Handel practiced secretly. Before he was eight his father went to visit a son by a former marriage who was a valet-de-chambre to the duke of Saxe-Weissenfels. The little boy begged in vain to go also, and at last ran after the carriage so far that he had to be taken. He made acquaintance with the court musicians and contrived to practice on the organ when he could be overheard by the duke, who, immediately recognizing his talent, spoke seriously to the father, who had to yield to his arguments.
The rest is history!
In 1741 het Handel twee Italiaanse operas geskryf en opgevoer, maar dit was 'n mislukking. Onder hierdie teneerdrukkende omstandigdhede het Charles Jennens die teks vir 'n nuwe oratorium saamgestel met die bedoeling dat dit gedurende die Heilige Week opgevoer sou word, wanneer die teaters gesluit is. Die opbrengs sou vir liefdadigheid gaan. Handel het die Messiah op 14 September 1741 voltooi. Sonder Jennens se medewete het Handel die werk na Dublin geneem, waar hy dit opgevoer het op 13 April 1742. Die pers was entoesiasties, en daar was 400 Britse ponde vir liefdadigheid. Hy het die werk vir 'n tweede keer opgevoer op spesiale versoek.
Die items in Messiah vorm 'n kontinue eenheid in die oorhoofse ontwerp van die oratorium, tonaal sowel as tematies. Al die teks kom direk uit die Bybel. Deel I is 'n proloog wat die profesieë oor die koms van die Messias bevat. Deel II is 'n uiteensetting van die lyding van die Verlosser, tot Sy hemelvaart, en sluit af met die welbekende Halleluja-koor. Deel III verkondig die belofte van die opstanding en die ewige lewe.
Ons gaan van die minder bekende koordele, wat gewoonlik uitgelaat word om tyd te spaar, ook sing