Handel’s Messiah by Candlelight
Period Performance with Soloists from the Choir
Step back in time this holiday season with a candlelit performance of one of the greatest masterpieces of all time—Handel’s Messiah. Crafted in a mere 24 days, Messiah has captivated audiences for centuries since its debut. From the jubilant "For Unto Us a Child is Born" to the awe-inspiring "Hallelujah Chorus," this masterpiece stands as a crowning achievement of Baroque music. This special period performance features our world-class musicians playing historical instruments, just as Handel intended. The warm glow of candlelight will transform the Folly Theater into an 18th-century concert hall, creating an intimate and immersive experience that evokes the wonder and reverence of Messiah’s earliest performances. A beloved tradition reimagined—don’t miss this one unforgettable evening.
About Handel’s Messiah
The Dublin premiere of Handel’s Messiah on April 13, 1742, was quite the fashionable squeeze! Gentlemen were asked to leave their swords at home and ladies to come without hooped skirts just so more people could cram into the newly built Great Music Hall on Fishamble Street. Over 700 people squeezed into the hall – talk about standing room only!
Handel chose Dublin because London audiences had been giving him the cold shoulder the previous season, and he didn’t want to risk another critical failure with such an unorthodox piece….So essentially, the greatest oratorio of all time got its world premiere because Handel was having a bit of a career slump and needed some friendly faces!
Windows had to be removed to make more space for the eager audience, and the demand was so intense that a second performance had to be hastily arranged. Imagine the scene: Dublin’s elite ditching their fancy fashion accessories and literally removing windows from buildings just to hear this new piece!
BRING A TOY.
SHARE THE JOY.
Spire’s December 23 Messiah continues Handel’s legacy of compassion by supporting Children’s Mercy. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or make a financial contribution at the concert.
Details
December 23, 2025, 7:00 pm
C. Stephen Metzler Hall at The Folly Theater
300 W 12th St,
Kansas City, MO