A little musical relief, thanks to a 'Random Act of Culture' in Philadelphia Macy's store
A little trend earlier this year had singers breaking into opera in the middle of public spaces, an unusual attention-grabber, to be sure. Young artists from Washington National Opera tried out the shtick at a grocery store in Baltimore to promote a concert with the BSO, for example; and members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia had similar fun drawing attention to its activity with a spontaneous vocal eruption at an Italian market.
Last weekend, that same Opera Company of Philadelphia put together an even bigger musical surprise with the help of 28 other organizations. This event, one of the "Random Acts of Culture" being spearheaded by the Knight Foundation over the next few years, brought together more than 650 choristers who mingled with shoppers at the Macy's store in Center City Philadelphia (the grand building's ancestry goes back to the 1870s, when it opened as Wanamaker's original department store).
At noon on Saturday, the famous Wanamaker Organ could be heard breaking into the opening measures of
the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah," and those hundreds of choristers located all over the place chimed in right on cue, startling the heck out of unsuspecting customers. A very cool, feel-good venture that I thought would be well worth sharing with you right about now:
Comments
That's great. Thanks for linking to it, and I love the Knight Foundation's sponsorship of this. Don't forget--it's also Bellini's birthday today. Another good respite from midterm burnout.
Ah, Bellini. Glad you reminded me. I'll seek solace there. TIM
Posted by: Laura | November 3, 2010 11:04 AM
In addition to being a "Random Act of Culture," the Opera Company of Philadelphia's fabulous event was part of National Opera Week, where over 100 organizations around the country provide fun, free/low cost opera activities for the public: http://www.operaamerica.org/now.
Posted by: Patricia | November 3, 2010 2:13 PM
I want to organize one of these in Las Vegas. Does anyone have any suggestions or want to help?
Posted by: Susan Levanduski | November 4, 2010 1:24 AM
"I want to organize one of these in Las Vegas. Does anyone have any suggestions or want to help?
Susan,
You'd have to contact enough civic choral groups and church choirs to get maybe upwards of 400 people participating. You'll notice at the end of the video they mention that there were 600 participants in this event. So depending on your proposed venue, it might take that many or more. There would have to be several rehearsals, because none of the singers were using libretti, but relying on the conductress solely.
Posted by: The Little Myrmidon | November 8, 2010 8:25 AM
Absolutely glorious! So moving, loved watching "the audience" reactions. Priceless. The musical choice was perfect as familiarity is essential to the success of such a "random" act.
Was it promoted at all, or announced in any way?
Ah, the possibilities here...bravo to the creator of "random musical acts".... we need more!"
Posted by: Joanne Theodorou | November 9, 2010 10:28 AM
Spontaneous, fantastic, fun!
This was a random act of genius, to hear 600 some choral persons spontaneously sing Handel’s Messiah’s Halleluiah Chorus against the fabulous sounds of the Wanamaker organ. Even though I was not there, I’ll bet it was glorious and exciting for the shoppers to experience. Just listening to the video was cool! I even understand that the choral folks didn’t even have music with them which was to everyone’s surprise. We need more of this type of culture in all our communities!
Amen. TIM
Posted by: Stuart Jewett | November 11, 2010 4:00 PM
Oh, please, I beseech you, come to Washington, D.C.!!! If there is ANYWHERE we need a "random act of" wonderfulness, its here.... I was absolutely blown away; what a joy, joy.
Baltimore could use it, too. TIM
Posted by: Eudora Heath | November 11, 2010 5:34 PM
Wow! and Wow again! Marvelous! Thank you so much for your selfless act of random culture. Please come to Omaha, NE. Your act raised my spirit and transported me to heights of great joy!
Posted by: Ron Croom | November 13, 2010 10:34 AM
What a tremendous blessing this was to me! Tears and praises filled my spirit. May God bless every person who participated in any way. Thank you ....thank you....thank you. Keep those wonderful surprises coming.
Posted by: Margaret | November 13, 2010 12:23 PM
My Seminary teaher had them on a website. I laughed tears when I saw the dance in Belgium to Do-Re-Me. How wonderful!
Do you have CD's ?
I am also sadden that there was violence.
Keep it up. It was great
Can you come to San Francisco ?
Richard
Posted by: Richard Presky | November 17, 2010 1:01 PM
I want to be there, must be an amazing feeling singing there.. but I'm far away in Ireland, maybe someone likes to organize this in Stevens Green Shoping Centre..I'll be there!
I imagine Ireland could REALLY use something like this right now. Good luck with that economy! TIM
Posted by: Elisa | November 20, 2010 5:39 AM