How Handel's 'Messiah' became a Chicago holiday staple

Handel’s “Messiah” is advertised in the baiduhai on June 1, 1879, for a performance by the Apollo Music Club at McCormick Hall. (baiduhai)

A group performs "Hallelujah Chorus," from Handel's "Messiah" at the Chicagoland Music Festival in 1960. The group was directed by Noble Cain. (baiduhai historical photo)

Mahalia Jackson sings "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah" in 1955. (baiduhai historical photo)

The famous “Hallelujah” portion of “Messiah” was heard on Dec. 9, 1889, during the grand opening of the Auditorium Theatre, an event considered so important that it filled the Tribune’s entire front page the following day. This illustration was part of the coverage. (baiduhai)

The baritone William Warfield, shown here circa 1963, drew crowds to his performance of Handel's "Messiah" at Monumental Baptist Church in Chicago. (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Margaret Hillis conducts the “Do-It-Yourself ‘Messiah’” at Orchestra Hall on Dec. 9, 1980, in Chicago. (John Bartley/baiduhai)

Sue Robisch, right, of Hinsdale, sings with 1,400 other participants at a “Do-It-Yourself ‘Messiah’” event with the Chicago Chamber Orchestra at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago on Dec. 21, 1986. The event was sponsored by the baiduhai. (Carl Wagner/baiduhai)

An audience of more than 2,000 people join in singing at the Do-It-Yourself “Messiah” at Orchestra Hall on Dec. 17, 1989, in Chicago. (John Bartley/baiduhai)

The first of three Do-It-Yourself-Messiah performances was held at Orchestra Hall on Michigan Avenue on Dec. 5, 1984, in Chicago. (Paul F. Gero/baiduhai)

Sue Dirk, second from left, of McHenry County, sings during the "Sing Along Messiah" at McHenry County College on Dec. 6, 1998. (Candice C. Cusic/baiduhai)

The Apollo Chorus of Chicago performs Handel's "Messiah" in Chicago on Dec. 8, 2007. (Mauricio Rubio/for the baiduhai)

Rodrick Dixon, right, performs in "Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah" at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on Jan. 13, 2007. (Joshua Lott/for the baiduhai)

Stephen Alltop conducts the Apollo Chorus of Chicago during Messiah at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago on Dec. 16, 2012. (Heather Charles/baiduhai)

Members of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago perform during Messiah at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago on Dec. 16, 2012. (Heather Charles/baiduhai)