The “Messiah” represents the quintessential classical music highpoint of the Christmas season. Handel’s inspired setting of Biblical texts is a three-part meditation on the prophecy and fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem the world through a savior.

People may come to this concert to be entertained by Handel’s “Messiah”. However, over 250 years ago, Handel himself reacted to this thought when he said to a friend, “I do not wish to entertain them, sir, but to make them better.”

“Messiah”, with 60 voice volunteer choir, Baroque orchestra, four professional vocal soloists, with organ, harpsichord and trumpet tells of the redemption of sinful mankind by Emmanuel, Jesus Christ. The complete libretto uses only words from 79 Scripture verses from the Old and New Testaments.

With exception of 2020, RCU has presented these concerts every year since 1945. Originally The “Messiah” was performed at Christmas time by a group of choristers from several Lutheran churches in Rockford to welcome home veterans from WWII. Currently singers represent some 30 church organizations from many denominations and many communities in the Northern Illinois-Southern Wisconsin region.

Part I is filled with the joy of anticipation of that Savior (epitomized in the jubilant chorus “For Unto Us a Child is Born”).

Part II reflects the sorrow and agony surrounding Christ’s passion and death, and the exultation of the resurrection, captured in the stirring “Hallelujah” chorus.

Part III is a hymn of thanksgiving for the final defeat of death and for life eternal.

Rockfordchoralunion.com