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Are you singing in Messiah Amp? That is wonderful. I love that work. I saw it performed in NY a few years ago. It's performed every hoiday season.

You are right, Virgil, it IS wonderful, a great way to start off the holiday season. Alas, this sing-along thing was my only opportunity. I had to drop out of the chorus (NWI Symphony) when my husband got so ill and have just never returned.

Handel composed The Messiah in only 24 days!! It was first presented as a concert for the benefit of Dublin's charities in 1741.
The rousing conclusion of Part II is the famous "Hallelujah!" chorus. Tradition has it that at Messiah's premiere, the audience was so moved that it stood up together spontaneously, thus beginning the tradition of standing during this chorus. I know that personally I become almost giddy at this point but I quickly 'compose' myself (hehe) cause the high notes are coming!

Perhaps someone reading will see some humor in this. The orchestra plays the beautiful Sinfonia (Overture) followed by the tenor soloist's offering of the Recitative "Comfort ye my people" and the Aria "Ev'ry valley shall be exalted". Then the chorus comes in with the powerful "And the glory of the Lord". Well....the little old lady sitting in front of me literally jumped in her seat when I and my friends came in. I think she forgot it was a sing-along.

The annecdote I heard as to the standing was that the King of England who was in the audience was so moved he stood in respect to the greater King, and the audience followed and a tradition was set.

I have to side with Virgil there -- it was the King that rose, so the audience followed suit, ergo the traditional standing. Ampoule, I congratulate you on being part of one of my most favorite works of all time. Too bad we could not be there to cheer you on... but accept this little note as that, kay?

Kay!!
Virgil and Kiz....that sounds much more plausible as I'm sure the people were waiting for the king to make the first move.

I remember the first few times I sang this I almost started laughing when people would start standing. Some would just spring to their feet and stand almost at attention. And then you'd see the ones who would follow with that questioning look...what the heck are we standing for, is it over? And then those who knew the scoop would look down their noses at the slow ones. I guess I don't sound very professional but it was funny.