Next Wednesday at 19.30, La Filarmónica brings Georg Friedrich Händel’s Messiah to the Symphonic Hall of the Auditorio Nacional de Música in Madrid.
The German musician composed music in the Italian style and lived 36 years in London. He always sought and obtained the protection and patronage of the English crown, which commissioned him to write the music for the coronation of King George II. Subsequently, the monarch granted him English citizenship, whereupon Händel changed his name to Friedrick.
When Handel performed Messiah at London’s Covent Garden on 23 March 1742, King George II, who attended the concert, rose to his feet at the most solemn moment of the work: the famous ‘Hallelujah! Protocol dictated that when the King stood up, no one was allowed to remain seated, which caused the entire theatre to rise in unison. Regardless of the reason for the King’s gesture, whenever “Hallelujah!” sounds in the city on the Thames, the entire audience rises to its feet.
The Finnish Baroque Orchestra and the Barcelona Ars Nova will perform this famous piece under the baton of conductor Mireia Barrera, together with soprano María Espada, countertenor Gabriel Díaz, tenor Juan Sancho, and baritone Joan Martín-Royo. Tickets can be purchased at this link.
