| IF YOU GO |
| Handel’s “Messiah” |
| Where: The Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda |
| When: 3 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: $32 to $79, ages 7 to 17 are free; 301-581-5100; strathmore.org; nationalphilharmonic.org |
Handel’s “Messiah” cannot be compared in popularity to a favorite TV show in re-runs, but most would agree that it is probably the singular most magnificent oratorio in the classical canon and, quite simply for millions of devotees, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without it. This, of course, would explain the packed houses each year when, like today, the National Philharmonic, along with the National Philharmonic Chorale under the baton of artistic director Stan Engebretson, will present the glorious, time-honored piece in the great hall of the Music Center at Strathmore.
“The [Messiah] is a very special part of our fabric … very strong in America,” Engebretson said, who notes he sang parts of the work at age 13 in his church choir and has been performing it in one form or the other ever since. “They call such pieces as this, ‘Evergreen.’ It’s ever-fresh [and] always continues to unveil something new every time we perform it.”
Handel’s “Messiah,” first presented in Dublin, Ireland, more than 260 years ago, recounts the important events in the life of Jesus Christ, chronicling them in three parts.
“We do all of the Christmas portion, which in Part One, and after intermission, selections from Parts Two and Three, including the famous selections we’ve come to know and love — the “Hallelujah Chorus,” “Worthy is the Lamb” and the final chorus,” Engebretson continued. “It moves very quickly in the Baroque performance and practice style, which is light, bright and energetic.”
Along with the orchestra and the 160-voice choir, soloists include soprano Audrey Elizabeth Luna, mezzo-soprano Yvette Smith, tenor Don Benardini and baritone Christopheren Nomura.
Hailed as one of classical music’s “rising stars” by the Wall Street Journal, Nomura notes that he has sung the “Messiah” every year for at least 23 years, with several different orchestras both here and abroad.
“Every time I sing the ‘Messiah,’ or hear it, for me it’s like the first time,” he said. “It’s important to take every performance of this spectacular piece like it’s the first time you’re telling the story and making sure that everyone in that hall can understand it coming from your singular voice.”
As performers, both Engebretson and Nomura find it an exciting piece as they return to it year after year after year.
“Like your favorite book, it’s your favorite holiday fare,” Engebretson said. “It’s an amazing piece, really.”
