Classical Christmas: Messiah
Nov. 26, 2023 | 2:30 PM
Program
Classical Christmas: Messiah
Nov. 26, 2023 | 2:30 p.m.
Tennessee Theatre
Series made possible by a generous gift from Roy Cockrum
PROGRAM
Aram Demirjian, conductor
Knoxville Choral Society
Abigail Santos Villalobos, soprano
Diana Salesky, alto
Tim Pope, tenor
Kevin Burdette, bass
VICTOR HELY-HUTCHINSON
Carol Symphony
I. Prelude: "Adeste fideles"
II. Scherzo: "God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen"
III. Romance: "Coventry Carol" & "The First Nowell"
IV. Finale: "Here We Come A-Wassailing"
INTERMISSION
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL
Messiah
Part I
Selections from Part II and III
Hallelujah Chorus
Latecomers will be seated during the first convenient pause in the performance.
The use of recording devices and/or flash photography during the performance is strictly prohibited. Please remember to silence all electronic devices and refrain from text messaging during the concert. Mobile devices may be used to read program notes during the concert.
Programs and artists subject to change.
Program Notes
Messiah Lyrics
Sinfonia
Tenor
Comfort ye my people, saith your God;
speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,
and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished,
that her iniquity is pardoned.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness:
Prepare ye the way of the Lord,
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill made low:
the crooked straight and the rough places plain.
[Isaiah 40:1-4]
Chorus
And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together:
for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
[Isaiah 40:5]
Bass
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts:
Yet once a little while, and I will shake the
heavens, and the earth, and the sea and the dry land,
and I will shake all nations,
and the desire of nations shall come.
The Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come
to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant,
whom ye delight in, behold,
He shall come, saith the Lord of Hosts.
[Haggai 2:6-7; Malachi 3:1]
Alto
But who may abide the day of His coming?
And who shall stand when He appeareth?
For He is like a refiner’s fire.
[Malachi 3:2]
Chorus
And He shall purify the sons of Levi,
that they may offer unto the Lord
an offering in righteousness.
[Malachi 3:3]
Alto
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Emmanuel,
God with us.
[Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23]
Alto and Chorus
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion,
get thee up into the high mountain;
O thou that tellest good tidings to
Jerusalem, lift up thy voice with strength;
lift it up, be not afraid;
say unto the cities of Judah:
Behold your God! Arise, shine,
for thy light is come,
and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.
[Isaiah 40:9; 60:1]
Bass
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and gross darkness the people:
but the Lord shall arise upon thee,
and His glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light,
and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
[Isaiah 60:2-3]
Bass
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
and they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.
[Isaiah 9:2]
Chorus
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given,
and the government shall be upon His shoulder,
and His name shall be called Wonderful,
Counselor, the mighty God,
the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
[Isaiah 9:6]
Pastoral Symphony
Soprano
There were shepherds abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flocks by night.
And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them,
and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them, and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them:
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people:
for unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host,
praising God, and saying:
[Luke 2:8-11,13]
Chorus
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace on earth, good will towards men.
[Luke 2:14]
Soprano
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout,
O daughter of Jerusalem, behold, thy King
cometh unto thee. He is the righteous Saviour,
and He shall speak peace unto the heathen.
[Zechariah 9:9-10]
Alto and Soprano
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd,
and He shall gather the lambs with His arm,
and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead
those that are with young.
Come unto Him, all ye that labour,
and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him,
for he is meek and lowly of heart,
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
[Isaiah 40:11; Matthew 11:28-29]
Bass
Behold, I tell you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
(I Corinthians 15:51-52)
The trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.
(I Corinthians 15:52-53)
Soprano
If God be for us, who can be against us?
(Romans 8:31)
Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth, who
is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who
is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.
(Romans 8:33-34)
Chorus
Hallelujah!
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
The kingdom of this world is become the
kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ;
and He shall reign for ever and ever.
King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.
[Revelation 19:6; 11:15; 19:16]
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