Why do audiences stand whenever Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" is sung?
England's King George II attended the performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden in 1743. When Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" began, he mistook the first strains for the British national anthem. As such, he stood and everyone else followed. Funny, isn't it? But that sheer mistake became tradition: it's been nearly 300 years and until now, audiences rise whenever the chorus is sang. Let's hope though audiences now stand in reverence to the message of the song!
England's King George II attended the performance of "Messiah" at the Covent Garden in 1743. When Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" began, he mistook the first strains for the British national anthem. As such, he stood and everyone else followed. Funny, isn't it? But that sheer mistake became tradition: it's been nearly 300 years and until now, audiences rise whenever the chorus is sang. Let's hope though audiences now stand in reverence to the message of the song!
