First off, the performance was supposed to start at 6 pm, but didn't start until much later. The reason for that was that the programs, which list the pieces to be performed, did not arrive, and they were not distributed until after the performance began. Next, the orchestra and the soloists each seemed to be going at their own pace at times, going out of sync with each other.
Next, the list of pieces that were performed didn't match those that were listed in the program that was distributed.
(Part I)
01. Sinfonia
02. Comfort ye my people
03. Every valley shall be exalted
04. And the glory of the Lord
07. And He shall purify
09. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
12. For unto us a child is born
14. There were shepherds abiding in the field
14a. And lo! the Angel of the Lord (listed at 15 in the program)
16. And suddenly there was with the angel
17. Glory to God
18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion
20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd
21. His yoke is easy
(Part II)
22. Behold the Lamb of God
33. Lift up your heads, o ye gates
(Part III)
45. I know that my Redeemer liveth
46. Since by man came death
47. Behold, I tell you a mystery
48. The trumpet shall sound
53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (listed as 52 in the program)
(back to Part II)
44. Hallelujah
The pieces that were actually performed though did vary a bit.
(Part I)
01. Sinfonia
02. Comfort ye my people
03. Every valley shall be exalted
04. And the glory of the Lord
06. But who may abide the day of His coming?
07. And He shall purify
09. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
12. For unto us a child is born
14. There were shepherds abiding in the field
14a. And lo! the Angel of the Lord (listed at 15 in the program)
16. And suddenly there was with the angel
17. Glory to God
18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion
20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd
(Part II)
22. Behold the Lamb of God
33. Lift up your heads, o ye gates
(Part III)
45. I know that my Redeemer liveth
47. Behold, I tell you a mystery
48. The trumpet shall sound
53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (the first portion, without the Amen chorus)
44. Hallelujah
A few examples of the chaos that arose with this performance.
• The conductor's announcements, while intending to help, were a bit distracting.
• Because of the unannounced inclusion of 06. But who may abide the day of His coming?, it appears to have messed up the following chorus, 07. And He shall purify. The vocals for this piece begin with the sopranos singing as follows:
They didn't sing anything! It was if the sopranos were absent for the majority of the piece, leaving those of us who actually knew what was going on to carry the whole thing.
• There were some pieces listed in the program, which I find fun to sing (or listen to), or which I was looking forward to singing, which were not performed. Namely, 21. His yoke is easy, 46. Since by man came death, and the Amen chorus (from 53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain).
Next, I have a little pet peeve regarding performances such as this. Why was the Hallelujah chorus played out of order? Sure, it declares that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Sure, King George II stood for it (causing everyone else in his presence to stand, as is the protocol) when it was first performed in London back in the year 1743. However, Hallelujah is the last piece of the second part, not the whole thing. Had Handel wanted it to end right there, he would have made it so, but the oratorio ends with the chorus singing, "Amen," a word that means "so be it," and is usually said at the end of prayers (though there are other uses for it). It's like a secondary character in a TV show, cartoon, or some other work who proves to be more popular than the main characters.
Hopefully, next year will be somewhat better.
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