In nearly three centuries ago, in 1741, George Frideric Handel passionately composed his magnificent oratorio, "Messiah," against the backdrop of social unrest sweeping through Enlightenment-era society. Ninety years prior, the Handel Choir of Baltimore came into existence during a decade marked by geopolitical and economic turmoil, from the Great Depression to the events in Europe that ultimately led to the Second World War. Fast-forwarding to the present, Baltimore holds its breath as democracy endures, despite the deep rifts that divide our government, institutions, and even our Thanksgiving dinner tables.

The Timeless Beauty of Handel's "Messiah" in Baltimore

Origins and Early Years

The Handel Choir began informally with great fanfare in May 1935 when it performed Handel's "Messiah" at the Lyric Theater. By September of that year, as announced in the newspaper, "The Handel Choir enters the Baltimore scene" with the formation of a choir limited to 400 mixed voices. The orchestra was mainly drawn from the Baltimore Symphony, and rehearsals took place at the Peabody Institute. Katherine Lucke, the first female faculty member at Peabody and the principal founder of the Handel Choir, shared in May 1936 that the new choir was like "babes in the woods" with no clear source of funds. Yet, she trusted in music's consoling power and the need for a high-caliber quasi-professional community choir in Baltimore. The concert was a resounding success, inspiring subsequent "Messiah" performances every year since.

Role in Times of Distress

During the early years of FDR's New Deal when a "pall of family disaster" hung over millions of Americans, choral singing provided more than just entertainment. In his 1937 second inaugural address, the president called for everyone to assist the third of the nation's citizens who were "ill-housed, ill-clad and ill-nourished." While music couldn't put food on the table, it lifted spirits and pointed the way to a better future. This spirit inspired the original 400 singers to come together around Handel's great work. Katherine Lucke's trust in music's consoling power was evident as she led the choir through challenging times.

Present and Future

Today, the choir, composed of just over 60 members and recognized as the second oldest musical organization in Baltimore after the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, has evolved. Focusing on growing its musical repertoire and expanding its community reach, the choir's tagline, "Baroque and Beyond," guides it as it continues the important traditions started by Katherine Lucke in 1935. By commissioning new works and highlighting compositions by Baltimore-area composers while still drawing from the Baroque repertoire, the choir celebrates the qualities that bring Baltimoreans together. As both a member for over a decade and the current president of the organization, I'm thrilled to share the anniversary season that begins with our beloved "Messiah" performances and ends with Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" at the Baltimore Basilica on May 17. We thank the City of Baltimore and its surrounding counties for nine decades of support and invite you to join us this December 14 and 15 as we inaugurate our 90th season with Handel's "Messiah."