In 1741 during the reign of King George II of England, the court’s favorite composer, George Frederic Handel, wrote an oratorio in English known as The Messiah. It was first performed in Dublin in 1742 and then in London the next year to somewhat tepid reviews. But what a difference a few hundred years can make. Today, it is the most performed choral piece in the Western world, voiced by enthusiastic college choirs, community group singalongs, and professional choral societies like Spire Chamber Music Ensemble. These local, regional, and national artists from the United States and Canada bring to life pieces such as All We Like Sheep and Unto Us a Child Is Born from Handel’s Messiah, which you can listen to on their website. Spire Chamber Music Ensemble performs Handel’s Messiah in full on December 19 at 7 p.m. at Helzberg Hall at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.