For unto us a son is given

In December of 2022 I sang Messiah choruses nine different times in 3 different places. I adored every minute of it. At the time, I was pregnant with Michael and while we knew we were having a boy, we hadn't told anyone yet. That year, "For unto us a child is born" held a special meaning for me - it was like my own little secret. Ever since, I've enjoyed singing "For unto us" and remembering that special year.

Let all the angels of God

Delayed a bit this morning by a rehearsal in NYC for Messiah this week with the NY Phil! But I'll make up for it by letting you in on a secret - my favorite chorus in Messiah is "Let all the angels of God", and it's often one of the first ones to be cut! Have a listen here and see what you've been missing!

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Susannah Cibber

One last #MessiahSeason controversy: the alto solos in Handel’s Messiah are frequently sung by countertenors now, but most of them were written for and premiered by a woman - Susannah Cibber.

Susannah Maria Cibber (February 1714 – 30 January 1766),[1] also known as Susannah Maria Arne, was a celebrated English singer and actress. She was the sister of the composer Thomas Arne. Although she began her career as a soprano, her voice lowered in the early part of her career to that of a true contralto. She was universally admired for her ability to move her audiences emotionally both as an actress and vocalist. Possessing a sweet, expressive, and agile singing voice with a wide vocal range, Cibber was an immensely popular singer, even if at times her voice was criticized for a lack of polished technique. Charles Burney wrote of her singing that "by a natural pathos, and perfect conception of the words, she often penetrated the heart, when others, with infinitely greater voice and skill, could only reach the ear." Cibber was particularly admired by Handel, who wrote numerous parts especially for her including the contralto arias in his 1741 oratorio Messiah, the role of Micah in Samson, the role of Lichas in Hercules and the role of David in Saul among others. In the mid-1730s she began appearing in plays in addition to appearing in operas and oratorios. She became the greatest dramatic actress of the eighteenth-century London stage and at the time of her death was the highest-paid actress in England.

Cibber was born in the Covent Garden area of London to Thomas and Anne Arne. Her father and grandfather were upholsterers and office holders in the Worshipful Company of Upholders. As a child she studied singing with her brother Thomas, who would later become one of the most important composers of the era and an important part of Cibber's career as a singer. Her other brother, Richard, also worked as a singer and actor but never achieved the same level of success as his siblings.

Susannah Maria Cibber (February 1714 - 30 January 1766), also known as Susannah Maria Arne, was a celebrated English singer and actress. She was the sister of the composer Thomas Arne. Although she began her career as a soprano, her voice lowered in the early part of her career to that of a true contralto.