Messiah 2008

It's over... the day we look forward to all year. The Do-It-Yourself Messiah at the Civic Opera House downtown. If only that night could last longer than one night! Warning: We took NO pictures. We didn't even bring a camera! *gasp.* Mom just brought her Flip video. I haven't checked out the videos she took yet but if they are any good I'll post them. So you will just have to deal with a lot of text to make up for the pictures. :-)

Despite below zero temperatures, quite a crowd turned out, including some out-of-towners from Providence Church who braved the weather to come up and join us.

The Chidlows came with this year and brought their friends, the Burns - Mrs. Burns and 6 year old Bradley (who was a hoot - a grown up in a 6 year old body). I may quote a few little quips heard during the course of the evening...

The Opera House was magnificent as usual. This time we had to make the climb to the top balcony twice, because, despite being frightened on his first visit, Bradley wanted to go up again at the intermission. :-) Let me tell you, though, this child has good taste - his favorite song is the Hallelujah Chorus. How many six year olds do you know whose favorite song is the Hallelujah Chorus?!

We had all new soloists this year and as usual they were thoroughly critiqued on the train ride home. :-) A brief summary:

Though I wasn't particularly keen on the alto's voice, it was a WOMAN! Yes! No Contra tenors (spelling?). That deserves a singing of the Hallelujah Chorus in itself. And she was pretty into what she was singing. (Interestingly, both the woman altos we have had - all two of them since I've been going - have been dressed pretty appropriately!).

Emily termed the soprano "diva-ish." She had a lovely voice but was a bit stuck up from what I could see. And could have used some improvement in the clothing department - as they all do!

The tenor was pretty good - not the best we've had, but still good. I appreciated that he sang on all the choruses, not just his solos.

The bass had a good voice but was very "absent" - not at all into what he was doing. And he had a terrible haircut that reminded me of Jeff Daniels in Gods and Generals. AND he didn't sing on the Hallelujah Chorus - neither the first time nor the encore. That is an unpardonable sin (ok, not really but highly offensive! :-).

I was happy to have sat in front of someone who had been going for six years and hence knew what she was doing and was not tone deaf. That makes the evening SO much more enjoyable.

On the way home, Luke had his phone out and was giving bi-minutely updates about the Bears/Packers game (the Bears won - though the only people who will not already know that by now are the ones who don't care :-). Luke mentioned that he had debated whether to go to the game or the Messiah.
Me (to the girls): What person in his right mind would forgo the Messiah to watch a football game in the freezing cold?!
Raeanne (promptly): A guy.
:-)

Ok, on to a couple of humorous sayings by the younger members of our party:

On the train, Tara was handing out our tickets.
Tom (sitting up on the top level): Hey, you got colored ones?!
Me: Yeah.
Tom: No fair. I have classic black and white.
(Somehow - I forget how - the conversation turns...)
Tom (joking): I'd be happy to sign it for you.
Bradley (to Emily, thinking Tom is serious): Well... he's not a movie player so I don't think I'd want his autograph.
(I think he meant movie star)

Bradley (walking across the bridge over the river): Is that the Mississippi?

Emily: No.

Bradley (entering the opera house): Is this the City Hall?

Emily: No, it's the Lyric Opera House.

Bradley: Is it LIKE a City Hall?

Emily: Uh, no, Bradley, it isn't.

Bradley (before sitting down, to his mom): Is this the Sydney Opera House?

Mrs. Burns: No, Bradley, that's in Australia. We're in America.

Bradley (leaving the opera house): New York City sure is a busy town!

(Emily and Mrs. Burns give up)

In the middle of the performance, Maggie S. told the lady in front of her, "I really am not enjoying myself."

The soprano does her first VERY high improvisation.

Bradley (to Emily): Isn't she good?

Emily: Yes, she's very good.

Bradley: You're not so bad yourself.

Tara meets Solomon H. coming down the train stairs as she's going up, on the way home.

Tara: Hi, Solomon! Did you sing?

Solomon (slight roll of the eyes): Of course, you KNOW I did.

Well... I have rambled long enough. If you even bothered to read to the end of this post, and want to see pictures, check the following blogs: Raeanne, Lauren, Wendy, and Dawn.
*Edit: If you want some more text and Bradley-isms, check Emily's blog.

*I previewed the videos and the only ones worth posting were He Shall Feed His Flock (alto/soprano) and I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (soprano) but they are both over 5 minutes. If any of you want to watch them, click on the links.*