Quote of the Day: “The Messiah” may be the most performed piece of classical music…[with]…surprising resonance, even 300 years later!  Jeffrey S. Miller, director for Joyful Noise at Bucket Brigade Theater in St. Paul, MN, by playwright Tim Slover. 

I have had the privilege of hearing the (almost) full production of Handel’s Messiah with professional singers where my son was a soloist. It is a majestic piece of operatic style music set to the scriptures taken from the King James Bible, provided by Charles Jennens. George Frideric Handel wrote the score in 1741, in just 24 days. According to the play we just saw, Jennens wasn’t completely thrilled with Handel’s score, referring to it as too modern, Handel coming from an opera background, or using tunes that would be sung in bars, and done in too much haste. Handel experienced even more pushback for his creation, and leaders of the church tried to shut it down before its debut in London in 1743. It premiered in Ireland in 1742 to much success and praise.

Scandal also surrounded the composer and singers. Not only was he criticized for writing something too sacred for the theater, but too modern for the church, he also employed singers with questionable pasts. In Joyful Noise, Christine Wade plays Susannah Cibber, a scorned woman. She had an affair (probably coerced by her abusive husband) and a book was published about her immoral behavior, which included illustrations. The courts took her daughter away, and she struggled to find work. She was also shunned by another performer, Kitty Clive (Vanessa Gamble), a soprano, who she supposedly stole parts from. Handel wrote parts specifically for Susannah in her range as a contralto. This made Kitty quite jealous, and demanded the songs be rewritten to fit her voice.

Joyful Noise at Bucket Brigade Theater, thru 5/10/25. Photo: Justin Cox

 

Ben Shaw plays Bishop Henry Egerton, who represents the distaste that the clergy at the time had for this piece of music, and possibly Handel himself. He campaigned to have the theater shut down and the music erased. If he had succeeded, none of us would know the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” nor the other glorious arias that this score contains. This beloved piece that churches now lift up as a work to be used often to tell the story of Jesus Christ, who championed the poor and downtrodden.

Joyful Noise at Bucket Brigade Theater, thru 5/10/25. Photo: Justin Cox

Jim Ahrens plays the famous composer George Frideric Handel. He’s big and powerful and doesn’t back down when pressured to make changes to his score, cut his singers, or change it to please the clergy and people in power at the time. Jeremiah Gamble plays John Christopher Smith, Handel’s right hand man. Mary Miller plays Mary Pendarves, a woman who is a fan of Handel and his music, and also supported Susannah Cibber. Brandt Roberts plays Charles Jennens, who provided the lyrics for The Messiah from the Bible, but later criticized Handel’s choice for the music. Dylan Sauder is understudy and the Voice of prosecutor. 

Joyful Noise at Bucket Brigade Theater, thru 5/10/25. Photo: Justin Cox

Craig Johnson brings King George II to life in a delightful way. His wife Caroline had been a fan of Handel. When she died, he truly felt her loss and said that she would have loved to hear something new by Handel. So, when he’s pressured to shut down performances of The Messiah, he refuses. Johnson brought out all the emotions in his character. At times he is sad and sentimental, and other times quite funny. He does not seem to by a tyrannical King. Rather, one that is for the people. When he stood at the end for the Hallelujah Chorus, I got tears in my eyes.

Fabulous costumes with attention to detail by Barb Portinga, and wig design by Caroline Zaltron. Lighting design by Shannon Elliott. Scenic Design by Dalen O’Connell and Jeremiah Gamble, who also did the sound design. Fight choreography by Annie Ennerking. You can see this inspiring production of Joyful Noise at Bucket Brigade Theater in St. Paul, MN through May 10, 2025. Bucket Brigade performs in an old church, Art House North, which lends itself nicely to the atmosphere of this piece. 

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt: Have you ever sung any part of The Messiah, or attended a performance? Do you know any songs from it beside the Hallelujah Chorus? What are some of your favorite classical songs?