Samuel Szor will conduct G.F. Handel’s Messiah at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle for the 51st year.

“It’s a story of prophecy of the coming of the Messiah,” Szor said. “I wish we had a Messiah coming because we’re in a recession now.

“It’s such a good piece because [Handel] was a genius.”

The Toledo Choral Society, along with the Toledo Symphony, will present Handel’s oratorio at 2 p.m. Dec. 7.

Last year, although a snowstorm took place during the time of the performance, 1,000 people attended.

“Every single church canceled their service,” Szor said. “So we went ahead and did it.”

The performance will feature a chorus of 90 people, which includes select members from Toledo Symphony, said Shelley Pryka, president of Toledo Choral Society.

“Sam is a professional director. He’s meticulous about what he’s looking for,” Pryka said. “I think we sound pretty good and I’m excited about being back in the Peristyle this year; it’s such an incredible place to sing … and it has so much charm.”

Teenagers, retired people and college students will be part of the performance.

“The Choral Society does encompass people from all walks of life,” she said. Her 17-year-old son sings with the Society.

Szor said rehearsals have been taking place Monday nights since September. Saturday mornings were optional rehearsal days.

“My job is to make music just like it should be — proper,” he said.

Handel’s serious classical music is controlled, not loud.

“Messiah” includes three parts. Part one presents the listeners through the Messiah’s birth. Part two is concerned with Jesus’ suffering, and part three is about Jesus’ everlasting life and glory.

“People can pick on what emotion they want to witness,” he said. “We don’t tell them how to feel emotionally; we just give it to them … and they use whatever emotion they want.”

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We just do it correctly,” he said. “The people can decide what emotion or what beauty they want to hear. That’s good art.”

“I feel like we’re all well prepared for it it’s just an incredible experience,” Pryka said. “It’s also a challenging piece of music to learn. I just love the Messiah.”

Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the door or by calling Toledo Symphony box office at (419) 246-8000. For more information e-mail info@toledochoralsociety.org.

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 4th, 2008 at 7:40 pm and is filed under Arts and Life, Holidays.
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