We were more than two-thirds of the way through the program last night when the orchestra struck up the familiar prelude. It was the Hallelujah Chorus of Handel’s Messiah; time to stand up.

The tradition of standing during this song began, so it’s said, when King George II was so moved that he rose to his feet during the London premiere, and the rest of the audience followed suit. 

Last night’s hall was almost filled and the conductor encouraged us to sing along, too, a challenge only a few of us were brave enough to accept. Still, it was impressive to see hundreds of people on their feet as the chorus belted out the familiar words: 

“King of Kings, forever and ever. And Lord of Lords, hallelujah, hallelujah. And he shall reign for ever and ever. … Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!”