Messiah performance set for Dec. 11

Handle’s Messiah, written by George Frideric Handle, is a presentation of music that tells the story of Jesus Christ.

Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in 1742. But for Midvale, it was first performed in 1985.

The performance is sponsored by five major stakes from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: the East Midvale Stake, North Midvale Stake, Union Fort Stake, Park Stake, and the Midvale Stake. The performance is open to anyone.

More than half the performers have been participating since the very beginning. Some new people come in every year, including students from Hillcrest High School.

Mark Chamberlain is the trumpet soloist and one of the founding performers. Chamberlain doesn’t even come to rehearsals until the dress rehearsal the night before. He could do the performance, “with one hand behind his back and four fingers,” said Jan Lipster, musical director.

Sandra Perry is another founding performer. “She quietly comes in and does her thing, not expecting anything in return,” Lipster said, adding that Perry was the “gem on the harpsichord.”

Peter MacKinnon has a Masters in the flute but sings for the Messiah. In his spare time he sings with the Salt Lake Symphony Chorus, but hasn’t missed a performance of the Midvale production since 1987. “He has a wonderful gift in music; he’s a brilliant man who never forgets a thing,” Lipster said.

To the performers, it’s done for the musical experience. William Jennens composed all the text from both the Old and New Testament of the Bible.

“It’s a nice musical experience,” Lipster said.

They perform one night a year for an audience that ranges from 600 to 800 people. Practices begin in October.

When Handle’s Messiah was first performed in Ireland, the performers paid the fees and expenses and donated the remaining money to the community. For this performance, there is no entrance fee, however attendees are asked to bring donations for the food drive at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.

“Personally, I can’t have Christmas without it,” Lipster said. “I love the music.”

The Messiah will be performed on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Hillcrest High School, 7350 South 900 East, at 7 p.m.