Messiah in Wheaton

By Kari Geltemeyer in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 21, 2005 3:25PM

That’s Handel’s Messiah, of course—we don’t mean to imply that Jesus is making a personal appearance in the western burbs (although anything is possible, wouldn’t He probably check in with Oprah first? Pass around some free King James & what all?).

Anyway, most orchestras save their performances of Handel’s Very Famous Oratorio for Christmas and Easter, but Wheaton College isn’t waiting around. Most likely they’re celebrating his 320th birthday (Feb. 23, dontcha know) in a manner befitting their interdenominational Christian aims. Which is totally fine by us: we’ll take any opportunity we can to get up close & personal with world-class tenor (and the Lyric’s most recent “Otello”) Ben Heppner, along with world-class others like Twyla Robinson, Daniel Taylor, and Gerard Sundberg, all performing under the baton of Maestro John Nelson with the backing of Wheaton College’s “choral and orchestral forces.” Plus it’s real crappy outside these days.

If you’re eager to get the story behind the music (VH1, are you listening?), you can sign up for the college’s two-day Music Lovers Workshop on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 24 and 25. Call the Conservatory of Music at 630-752-5099 for more info, etc.

Messiah, G.F. Handel
The Artist Series at Wheaton College
Edman Memorial Chapel
Friday Feb. 25 and Saturday Feb. 26
8:00 p.m.
Tickets available online at Wheaton College through Wednesday, or call 630-752-5010.
$20-$43