Handel: Lift up your heads, o ye gates (Messiah, HWV 56)

[reipe2006]

you forget about the music....

[waldmeister82]

This is brilliant in all respects!

The acting is deeply symbolic. It can be interpreted different. But to me the meaning is as follows:

The older man symbolises the old testament and the people of the old testament. That heavy leathern coat, which he takes off, stands in my opinion for the old law ("For you weigh men down with burdens hard to bear"Lk 11:46) and its also a gesture of release.

The young boy symbolises the Christ. And he covers this old man as a sign of his mercy on him.

[reipe2006]

@waldmeister82 he is the king of glory :)

[waldmeister82]

@reipe2006 Yes, he definetely is :-))

But he is wearing that cardboard crown, which, i guess, shall point out, that his "kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). This staging leaves a lot of room for interpretations, a lot of thigs you can think about, especially if you have some basic knowledge in theology. I just like this production.

[rverne8]

@waldmeister82 I appreciate your speculation -Apollo (younger, masculine figure) also wears a crown and this was part of victory celebrations in Greco-Roman society. The rabbinical interpretation states Psalm 24 is recited when the Sefer Torah is returned to the Ark after the reading on weekdays. This fits as the removal of the coat, the crowned boy could be an accolade. A strictly Christian reading can't be forced on the Hebrew writer who certainly would not have known of Jesus.

[mrnnhnz]

The acting was done with deliberation and passion, which was good, but it was very bizarre nevertheless. Nice singing.

[freshsamone]

What is this? Is it a film adaption? Very good performance nevertheless. :-)

[TheSuperkettleMan]

ok, this is weird, but I love it!

[gameviewer999]

i don't get the meaning of acting. what's with that bald old guy? and who's the kid in the burger king crown? why is the kid riding a tricycle?

[reipe2006]

@gameviewer999 who ist this king of glory???

[reipe2006]

@gameviewer999 HE ist the king of glory

[rverne8]

@gameviewer999 This silly You tube comments blocks all web links so all I can say is google search Rabbi Benjamin Segal's blog and read 'A new Psalm' where he states the last part of psalm 24-the text here-describes the kind of human God would want to meet in his heavenly abode-a pure and ethical person-exemplified perhaps by the child with the crown.

[myxklptk]

Singing: Very Good. But acting: weird!

[spratly]

Most unique and refreshing interpretation! I LIKE IT! BRAVO!!!

[YoungOrganist]

This performance is inspiring! I love this!

[foathkent]

i wish more people that have to believe in shit would use their belief constructively like handel and make beautiful music instead of fucking the world

[MrSwifts31]

Want to know how to ruin and destroy Messiah,watch this video and you will see how!

Pretentious claptrap.

[mmedved28]

PLEASE! What is this ?! Please identify the production!

[Prancer1231]

who does this?

it's bizarre but it's very good

[reipe2006]

@Prancer1231 austrians :)

[lhemmick]

Buy the DVD on amazon.com!

[ephremgall]

I don't understand the the man who falls and the boy who covers him with the coat. Even if this is meant to be symbolic, it simply does not convey the meaning of the words that are sung. (Christ conquers Hell and death!) Beautiful singing.

[vanmoody]

@ephremgall Maybe it is meant to convey the comfort one feels when they understand Jesus has conquered death. I mean, it really is a comfort. I lost my mother three years ago and I know without a doubt she is with Christ her Savior, whom she has believed upon.

[scottknitter]

@ephremgall The strong and mighty King arrives not in royal state but as a child, and a servant?

[ROGER459]

Thank You...!

[derZauberwolf]

super!

[susyaivlis]

ya tengo el poderrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr­rrr