Great Barrington — It was an afternoon of sweet harmony with over 100 residents joining together to perform portions of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, November 30.
The event has been held annually towards the beginning of the holiday season for over 30 years, with a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. The event is organized by local nonprofit organization Berkshire Bach Society. According to the society’s website, the organization was founded in 1990 to preserve the cultural legacy of Baroque music for current and future audiences, including the music of J.S. Bach and his contemporaries.
Each year, the organization holds concerts showcasing orchestral works, chamber music, and choral compositions. “The thing that is so interesting about music is that, in a world where disagreement has become the national pastime, music makes you come together with others to sing,” Berkshire Bach Society Executive Director Terrill McDade told The Berkshire Edge. “When you come together to sing, you are not dealing with your own opinion, you are dealing with the composer’s music. ‘Messiah’ is very glorious and uplifting music. Having a community come together is very uplifting and a wonderful setup for the holidays.”
Handel, who lived from 1685 to 1759, wrote “Messiah” in 1741, and it was first performed in Dublin, Ireland, in April 1742. “I think this piece of music endures because there’s something about this glorious quality of music,” McDade said. “Handel wrote this piece of music in three weeks, and it’s one of those divine inspirations that makes it a favorite for many people over hundreds of years. When it was first performed, people thought the music was only so-so, but over time it slowly gained a following.”
For more information about the Berkshire Bach Society, visit its website.
