11.21.2010
Just Awesome: A Random Act of Culture
A few weeks ago, shoppers at the Macy's in Philadelphia (the old Wanamaker building) were surprised when over 600 choristers who were there mingling with regular shoppers suddenly burst into Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. It was truly amazing.
The Opera Company of Philadelphia was instrumental in bringing it together to perform one of the Knight Foundation's "1000 Random Acts of Culture" which they'll be doing over the next three years across the country. Accompanied by the Wanamaker Organ - the world's largest pipe organ - the singers burst into song at exactly noon.
Please take the time to watch.....
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43 sterling comments:
That is awesome!
Cheers,
Rosa
Tears were running down my face.... what an amazing gift, Barbara! It must have been so thrilling.. can you imagine that pipe organ in that atrium... the walls must have been humming. We were having a talk about how the world was becoming devoid of culture and history and then seeing this... well there is hope... happy holidays! Hallelujah!
I saw this and was very touched. It gives me hope!
Best,
Bonnie
Wish I was there. How neat is that?!
Very cool! Look at the response from the shoppers! What a great idea!
What a wonderful way to start the holiday juices flowing. The crowd was obviously delighted.
I've seen this clip before and it was a pleasure to watch it again! I love Handel and the Hallelujah Chorus must have been thrilling to hear in that beautiful store.
I loved that! What an inspiring piece of music, and what a wonderful way to share it. I wish I could have been in that crowd!
Hi Barbara,
What a lovely thing to experience whilst out geting some retial therapy.
BTW Nana's potatoes look fabulous, will be trying those soon.
Thanks for all the inspiration and great new recipes.
Maggie
Thanks for sharing the holiday spirit! I'm in the mood to finally order my Christmas cards now.
Wow...that is amazing...if that doesn't get you in the mood nothing well.
Thank you for your sweet comments concerning my teeth...xoxo
This brought tears to my eyes, thanks so much for sending it along. These Random Acts of Culture are just fabulous, and to be one of the lucky ones present. Pretty overwhelming. I've only seen one other video where opera was performed, I think in a Mall. Just fabulous.
Isn't that amazing Barbara?! Wow, what a thrill it would be to be there. Better yet...to be one of the singers! Thank you for sharing this, it made my day!
hugs to you...
Oh, this was beautiful! You know, I felt my heart swell and my eyes begin to tear because of all the unity. And wow, that is a beautiful store!
Thanks for posting this!
Absolutely awesome!
i SO wish i had known about this, it looks so cool. of course, if i was there, i probably would have just cried, as that chorus always makes me do!
wow amazing will share
made me cry... i would fall apart if i heard these 600 voices suddenly singing this, it is my all time favorite. thank you so much for sharing all this joy~
Thanks for sharing, Barbara!
Truly heartwarming & inspiring! Thanks for sharing this~ Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving :-)
That was fantastic. I loved how the conductor was standing at the railing up there. Everyone's expressions are just priceless!
That's simply fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
How fun! All the people look so excited. Thanks for sharing this!
Absolutely amazing! If that doesn't spread holiday spirit, I don't know what does. Thanks for sharing, Barbara!
I saw Handel's Hallelujah chorus performed in boston by the handel and haydn society and it was gorgeous. Love this post!
Hello Sweet Barbara,
I have seen this and every time I watch it my body is filled with goose bumps and my eyes fill with tears of joy! To see a group of people from all walks of life join together in song, truly warms my heart! Thank you for sharing!
Happy Thanksgiving week!
xoxo,
Karyn
Absolutely fantastic! :-) I'm at my desk in my office crying and grinning at the same time. So beautiful! :-) Thank you.
That is holiday magic.
Have a wonderful week of giving thanks!
What a wonderful gift! Thanks for sharing with us, Barbara, it brought a tear to my eye.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
I loved it! Wish that I could have experienced the real thing.
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for sharing the wonderful Handel's Hallelujah Chorus with us.
Very poignant and what an amazing store, loved this post.
Happy week
Hugs
Carolyn
That was wonderful!
Makes me want to go shopping! Thanks for sharing!
Well that cheered me up!!! Really enjoyed it! What a nice surprise!
I would get chocked up by this burst of warm and spiritual music!
That is so awesome!
Awesome!
Happy Thanksgiving
Mimi
Great video Barbara, thanks for sharing!!
a wonderful beginning to the holiday season, babs! thank you so much for this glimpse at a random act of culture. (i've watched the video like 3x in a row!) and thank you also for visiting over at my place (that almost sounds tawdry!) and leaving such encouraging notes.
plus, Barbara, i'm making those nana potatoes for my family get-together this week!!
astonishing, heart opening--thank you for sharing this,Barbara.
In Nashville, not too long ago, a vastly smaller acting group burst into a dance and song of "Fame" at our farmer's market. Not the caliber of the Messiah---but a wonderful community builder.
anytime we bring these "random acts of culture" out into the world, we are all uplifted by it.
I would have loved to have been there! Just wonderful!
Barbara, I wanted to stop in and wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and to let you know that I made my first recipe last night from the cookbook you sent. A simple yet delicious side dish of sauteed vegetables with endive, green grapes and apples. Just lovely in appearance and taste. Today I'm making stuffed pumpkin to take to our friend's house for Thanksgiving. Also in the book. I'll most certainly be blogging about it. Thanks so much for a wonderful gift. Now let's go eat some turkey. :-)
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