I I PAGE TEN THE MICHIGAN DAILY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8. 1963 TiUfSDARi~Y LLVCEMULlR 2 V,1U0R2 k Campus Cultural Festivities Spark Holiday Season LOVE AND POISON: Druid Rites Create The Mistletoe Myth, I By GAIL BLUMBERG Strong powers of concentration will be the survival factor for the next three weeks as the contagious cheer of Christmas tempts reluc- tant scholars to drop their books for concert programs. One of the oldest traditions on campus is the University Choral Union's performance of Handel's "Messiah," on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 2:30 p.m. Grew From 1879 Club The present "Messiah" per- formances are an outgrowth of a Messiah club formed in 1879 by singers from several of the Ann Arbor church choirs. The follow- ing year the group became known as the Ann Arbor Choral Union. This group of University and Ann Arbor residents undertook the pre- sentation of concerts\ in local churches. The University Choral Union, working with the newly formed University Musical Society, began to direct the Ann Arbor Music School. It wasn't until 1929 that the University began partial support of this school. In 1940 tie Ann Arbor Music School was officially incorporated into the University as its School of Music. The Choral Union is still an organization separate from Uni- versity control, but its tradition and close University cooperatior is firmly rooted in the history of the Music School. Other Works Tried Through the years the singing of the "Messiah" has persisted. Other works have been tried, but none have received such a re- sponse. In 1947 two performances became a necessity and so it has remained. Today, the Choral Union hqs a membership of about three hun- dred University faculty and stu- dents, Ann Arbor residents, and people from surrounding cities. Under the - spoinsorship of the University Musical Society they perform two hours of the "Mes- siah", approximately two thirds of the work, each year. Selections are rotated with each new production and professional artists perform as soloists. Featured Soloists This year, Lois Marshall, Bev- erly Wolff and John Craig of the New York City Opera, and Rich- ard Cross will be the featured singers. Renaissance music has always lent itself admirably to the holi- day season. The University Musi- cal Society will present the Ses- tetto Italiano Luca Marenzio, an ensemble performing Renaissance madrigals and Christmas music at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. The ensemble was created to perform exclusively madrigal mu- sic and to work toward the re- vival of the masterpieces of this form, many of which have been obscured in archives and libraries. Fidelity To Texts Their main intention is com- plete fidelity to the authenticity of the ancient texts and the style of singing. The group is seated around a table, in the traditional casual, Renaissance manner of madrigal singing. Madrigals by Luca Marenzio, for whom the group is named, by Or- lando di Lasso, Monteverdi, Vecchi and Gesualado are included in their repertory, as well as several harmonic comedies by Banchieri. The Sestetto Italiano Luca Ma- renzio will be seen in a special program of Renaissance Christmas music by such composers as Pales- trina, Willaert, da Victoria, and Orlando di Lasso. In addition, a selection from their regular reper- tory will be performed. This will be the second Ameri- can tour for the prize-winning Italiano Sestetto which has play- ed in music festivals throughout the world. The Michigan League is discon- tinuing its traditional Christmas carol sing on the Diag. Because of final exam pressure, groups that usually participate in this event are unable to do so this year. It will be an open sing, with song sheets and a Santa Claus as leader, lasting as long as the en- thusiasm does. In addition, guest sing groups from the University will appear. i By DUANE MACKIE Mistletoe: the common name of various parasitic shrubs of the family Loranthaceae. To Americans mistletoe means much more than just a scientific generic name. It is a part of Christmas festivities that has a meaning and place all its own. While mistletoe has early be- ginnings associated with the Christmas holidays, it goes back as far as the ancient Druids. With elaborate rites, the Druids ven- erated this berry when it was found growing on oak trees. Pre- pared as a draught, they used it as a cure for sterility and an anti- dote for poisons. Scandinavian Mythology Scandinavians were not quite as enthusiastic about mistletoe as were the Druids. Nonetheless, they incorporated it in their mythol- ogy. Before Balden, the sun-god, was born, his mother arranged with other gods for his protection against all elements on earth. However, she neglected to include the lowly mistletoe. As long as the secret was kept, her son was safe. As time went on, Balden incur- red the wrath of Hoder, the blind god. Hoder disguised himself as an old woman and visited Balden's mother. He was able to extract the secret from her, and Balden' was killed by a mistletoe arrow. Mistletoe Tradition Noo tice had to be abandoned because it was found to set young ladies and gentlemen to reading mar- riage service. The church substituted holly for mistletoe and eliminated kisses altogether. Mistletoe was moved to the kitch- en and servants' halls where it was hung up with great ceremony. Whatever female happened to stand under mistletoe, the young man present had the right - or claimed the right, anyway-to sa- lute her and to pluck off a berry at each kiss. Parlor Mistletoe The mistletoe was not destined to remain exclusively in the kitch- en. Soon it invaded the parlor and drawing-room. In America the mistletoe is not the favorite evergreen for decora- tion. Holly is more popular and is often used as a substitute for mistletoe. Carol Begins As Folly~ Song The Christmas carol originated in the 15th century as a part of the mystery play. The carol was usually sung in ballad form and thus had its roots in common society as a folk song. Some songs generally regarded as carols, such as "The Twelve Days of Christmas," are not Christmas songs at all but the products of pagan festivals. a "dye-it" you'llove! 58 (Dyed Free) igh and Mid Heels: I s I II N Self sufficiency is a keynote of these turtle neck knit shirts but they adapt easily to a mostly undercover life for the layered look as needed. Our collections include all cottons and Helanca stretch nylons in a glorious multitude of colors. COTTON ... ..... 3.98 HELENCA .......7.98 529-531 E. Liberty 'MESSIAH'-The University Choral Union will present Handel's "Messiah" at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 in Hill Aud. The featured solosists will be Lois Marshall, soprano; Beverly Wolff, contralto; John Craig, tenor; and Richard Cross, bass. k 7 Centuries ago, mistletoe was used in churches, rather than in homes. However, along with kiss- ing at services, the mistletoe prac- ARE H To look your glamorous best for all dress-up occa- sions-DYE-IT." A simple white pump dyed to match any color at all! CAMPUS BOOTERY 304 S. STATE ST. YOU Some college men are, others not. Some stores sell only suits with vests, we don't. However, we have learned through our experience in our University Shops throughout the country, that there is an increasing preference for suits with vests. Starting at 79.50, our collection is ex- tensive. Fabrics from world renowned mills are in a wide and varied scope of colors and pat- terns. 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