I’ve attended several events at The Kennedy Center since my return to the DMV, but this was special for me. I had missed last year’s Messiah sing-along because I had been exposed to COVID and, while I had shown no symptoms, I could not allow myself to chance exposing others–especially fellow musicians–to the disease.
This year, I was good to go.
Tickets to the Messiah Sing-along were free to the public. I submitted a reservation and was able to get a seat in the orchestra section that had been made accessible. The Concert Hall filled quickly–despite being a Monday evening after a workday–with other musicians and families with young children–so good to see another generation exposed to Handel.
Conductor Nancia D’Alimonte came on stage before the program and warmed us up. She also informed us that the concert was the latest of a series of annual Messiah sing-alongs since the Kennedy Center opened in 1971. A number of audience members identified themselves as having attended more than 45 of the concerts over the years, and the audience attendance exceeded 2,500–the largest ever at the Kennedy Center.
I got a few pictures of the audience (see the picture below) before the program started.
The performing forces included members of the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, guest soloists Marquita Raley-Cooper, Alia Waheed, Wayne Jennings Darrick Speller, plus a community chorus of 150. I admit that I was far more familiar with the soprano and alto solos than the choral parts (at least the less familiar ones that had melismas I wouldn’t sightread in public performance). It was great to sing again, especially the “Hallelujah Chorus.” We sang through most of the Messiah to the enjoyment of all. Then, as an encore, we sang the “Hallelujah Chorus” once again! What fun!!
There are a few more pictures I have posted at http://singin1.pics/piwigo/index.php?/category/Seein-the-DMV-Messiah-Sing-along-Kennedy-Center-122324
I may not be singing as a soloist in concert any more, but I am going to seek out a chorus that needs a soprano and would have interesting repertoire to perform.