Fordham Methodist’s Spirited ‘Messiah’

Frigid temperatures and the promise of rain were not enough to stop parishioners and visitors from attending Fordham United Methodist Church’s seventh annual production of George Frederic Handel’s “Messiah” last Sunday evening.

Written in 1741, “Messiah” is a legendary oratorio about the life of Jesus Christ. It’s comprised of a series of solos and choruses and the lyrics are all based on Biblical passages.

“It grows in spirit and musical excellence every year,” said John Carlton Banks, the church’s musical director. “I have been told it is the highlight of many people’s Christmas season.”

“It’s wonderful!” said Georgia Williams, a longtime parishioner of Fordham United Methodist. She has been to all seven productions of “Messiah” and says she enjoys it just as much each time.

The climax of the performance came when the members of the chorus and the audience stood together while the well-known “Hallelujah” was sung.

At the end, many seemed to be lost for words. “Stellar,” was the best way Reverend Leo Curry could sum up the evening. “It surpassed my most fervent prayers.”

admin

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.