Patriots and Liberty

For musicians, Christmas means Messiah. This is not a comment upon musicians� religiosity, but rather upon their finances. Messiah, Handel�s Messiah, is to America�s choral societies and orchestras what La Bohème is to its opera houses and Nutcracker to its ballets: the guaranteed full house that can bankroll a whole season of deficits. Between Thanksgiving and New Year�s, Handel�s oratorio receives hundreds of performances, from church choirs with organ accompaniment to major symphonies with their professional choruses.

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http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9712/opinion/linton.html