BIG CROWD WELCOMES CHORAL UNION'S 'MESSIAH' (CONCERT REVIEW)

An SRO crowd filled overheated Academic Auditorium Tuesday night to hear a sweaty but pleasing performance of "Messiah."

The performance by the Choral Union, University Chorus and University Symphony Orchestra had people standing at the rear of the auditorium, both on the main floor and the balcony, a first in this reviewer's memory.

Academic Auditorium seats 1,200 people, although the first few rows of seats were removed to accommodate the orchestra.

The orchestra under the direction of Dr. Sara Edgerton opened the concert with "Christmas Concerto," a agreeable work by Arcangelo Corelli. The soloists were violinists Ronald Francois and Emily Main and cellist Jeff Jackson.

But the crowd had come for "Messiah," a collection of Bible verses George Frederick Handel transformed into an anthemic, chills-inspiring oratorio that is among the most popular religious music ever written. These three musical aggregations under the direction of Dr. John Egbert brought the music to life superbly.

Particularly stirring was the chorus's singing of the section titled "And the glory of the Lord," which foreshadows the blockbuster "Hallelujah" chorus to come.

Soloists for the evening were tenor Dr. Christopher Goeke, bass Thomas Lowery, contralto Tamara Brannon and sopranos Lori Shaffer and Dr. Elizabeth James-Gallagher.

The intonation and phrasing of Goeke's solos was immaculate, and Lori Shaffer's singing displayed maturity and rich colors. Lowery pursued his darker parts aggressively, and Brannon's singing was especially melodic in the section called "He shall feed his flock."

James-Gallagher sang the challenging "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion" with great skill.

Some audience members wilted in the heat and left before the final, triumphant Hallelujah Chorus. It's too bad.

Getting a standing ovation is assured at performances of "Messiah" because it is customary for the audience to stand during the final chorus.

This standing ovation was deserved, if somewhat brief, from an audience in a hurry to get out into the cool night air.