Memphis Messiah
A Five-Star Evening
The Memphis Messiah, an annual benefit performance, is truly a five-star evening. In partnership with Orphanos Foundation, the event brings together:
- one of the greatest musical compositions ever written,
- the most life-giving words ever written,
- the instrumentation of the world-class Memphis Symphony Orchestra,
- the voices of the world-class Memphis Symphony Chorus, and
- the comfort and acoustic splendor of the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts.
Why Handel's Messiah?
Orphanos specifically chose Handel's Messiah for this annual benefit performance because of the rich history of the piece. Over the last 250 years this work has, in the words of one music historian, "fed the hungry, clothed the naked (and) fostered the orphan." The first performance in Dublin was given as a benefit for orphans, a charity hospital, and for people in debtor's prisons. Messiah later gained wide popularity in prestigious London circles as an annual benefit performance for a London orphanage. The Memphis Messiah celebrates this unique aspect of the history of Handel's work by bringing help and healing to children at risk.
Partnering With Education
In conjunction with the publicly attended concert on December 15, Orphanos Foundation has again partnered with Memphis City Schools to provide a special program for underserved inner-city children on Friday, December 14. This will include a fully developed curriculum taught in the school system by trained music educators. In 2006 we saw 500 children in the Cannon Center listening to our talented orchestra performing Handel's Messiah. The school administrators have indicated they would like to bring more than 3,600 students this year. Their larger commitment is testimony to how well received the program was last year. On Sunday, December 16, we will host a special educational performance for approximately 1,800 home school students in the Memphis area.
Will You Help?
Clearly, Orphanos is a Memphis-based foundation that wants to have a local impact to complement its long-standing global reach. We are investing substantial resources on this local aspect of the Memphis Messiah to reach inner city and homeschool children right here in Shelby County.
Click HERE to purchase tickets for the 2008 performance.
If you would like to give to support this event, please Download a Sponsorship Packet.
To view our television advertisement, please click here.
