This Week-End: Local Performances of Handel's Messiah

Today, I received an e-mail from the Philadelphia Orchestra with a link to this video from 2010 (click the link if the embed below doesn't work, i.e. for @steempeak).

The video went viral when it was first posted, and shows a "flash mob" performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah in the Macy's department store in Philadelphia's Center City. This is from the video description:

On Saturday, October 30, 2010, the Opera Company of Philadelphia brought together over 650 choristers from 28 participating organizations to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "Random Acts of Culture" at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the OCP Chorus and throngs of singers from the community infiltrated the store as shoppers, and burst into a pop-up rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at 12 noon, to the delight of surprised shoppers.

If you'd like to see the Messiah performed live in the area this year, you have the chance this week-end in West Chester and Paoli. The Chester County Choral Society is performing it at West Chester Rustin High School on December 14 at 7:30 pm, and again at the Church of the Good Samaritan on December 15, in Paoli at 3:30 pm. Details are here.

They'll also be performing selections from the Messiah and other Christmas pieces in Kennett square at Longwood Gardens on December 17 at 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.

Local Steemizen @cmp2020 will be singing in the chorus. Here on Steem, he's also working through an analysis series, called "Christmas with the Master Composers", that includes the movements of this holiday staple, so check out his blog, too!