The Apollo Chorus of Chicago Thoroughly Entertains in Performance of Handel's "Messiah"

Two hours and forty minutes of Biblical recitations, airs, and choruses? Sounds nice, but no, thank you.

Two hours and forty minutes of Handel’s Messiah performed by an 110-plus chorus and orchestra directed by Stephen Alltop at the Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center? Yes!

I invited my Dad, a 62 year-old classical-music lover, to be my date for this performance. He’s a tenor in our small parish choir and loves live music as if he had been a composer himself in another life. As we settled into our seats, we remembered that we had seen this very show before. We shuffled, recalling the bits of boredom we sat through, looking forward to Intermission or the “Hallelujah Chorus” that was one of the only reasons we were there in the first place. My dad said, “Well, some parts might not be so interesting, but we’ll get through them.”

To our surprise, there was nothing to “get through” – we enjoyed every measure. Maybe it was the (un)fairly low expectations we set to begin with, but this performance was incredible. The Apollo Chorus has most of the Messiah memorized, so with no books covering any faces, we were able to spot each singer’s relationship to the music. One woman moves her head with each note; another leans over so much that one more move and he might fall over; a soloist abandons the call for overt professionalism and turns in his seat to get a look of the group that is creating such beautiful music – the performance is personal and the audience is invited to make it personal themselves.

The Apollo Chorus—composed of over one hundred auditioned volunteer members—is as professional as they come with their own special flair. It was a pleasure to watch teachers, lawyers, and other “every-day” people come together and create a tear-jerking experience. Listening to the “Hallelujah Chorus” was as invigorating as cheering during the Blackhawks’ National Anthem or looking at fireworks from Navy Pier. It is really something to be part of a tradition that began with King George of England over 250 years ago.

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago is as “Chicago” as they come so make sure you become part of the tradition with their last Messiah performance of the year on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.

Disclosure: I did attend the press opening. My words and opinions are my own.

Tickets to Handel’s “Messiah” at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance range from $18-80. To purchase individual tickets or to book a group, call The Apollo Chorus at 312.427.5620 or visit www.apollochorus.org. Tickets are also available by visiting or calling the Harris Theater for Music and Dance at 312.334.7777.

The photograph is from a 2011 performance by The Apollo Chorus.