The Rockford Choral Union presents the 74th annual performances of George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah.” The  “Messiah.”  The “Messiah” goes through the biblical story of Christ including prophesy, birth, life, crucifixion, resurrection, and glorification.

Music Director Michael Beert will lead the three-part oratorio which will be performed by more than 120 chorus singers representing 60 area churches from northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, four highly accomplished soloists, a large Baroque chamber orchestra, harpsichord, trumpet and organ. Choral Union members, who volunteer their time for the seven rehearsals and the two performances, are motivated to present this work because of their love of singing and presenting this story of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The Messiah’s message remains a living testament to the One who came to bring hope and peace to the world. Every Thanksgiving weekend the “Messiah” is given as a gift to the community. It is one of the most frequently performed works in the classical genre. This three part oratorio, written in the operatic form of its time without acting and staging, is the story of the Messiah/Redeemer with a mix of 27 arias and recitatives by the soloists and 17 choruses sung by the choir.

There are three new soloists involved with this year’s concert. Singing tenor will be Michael Day, a Rockford native who is returning to the area from Michigan where he sang with Michigan Opera Theatre. Beert says Day’s musicianship and technique are “fantastic.” Sisters Susan Nelson, a soprano, and Joanna Gates, a mezzo soprano, both from Princeton, IL, will sing the female upper register voices. Nelson lives and works in Chicago and is a member of the Lyric Opera Chorus and the Grant Park Symphony Chorus. Gates resides on the east coast and works with Grammy Award-winning choral group, The Crossing. The baritone soloist is Nicolai Janitzky, of Belvidere. He also performs with the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

This is the oldest uninterrupted tradition in Rockford and for good reason. There is such a spiritual lift that happens every time this concert takes place. Rockford Choral Union wants to get out the message of Christ, and this does that.

Price: Free admission | Donations accepted