Hallelujah

We went to a lovely performance of Messiah at St Mary's Church this evening. Although I was vaguely aware of the tradition, I was surprised to find the audience rising as one at the start of the Hallelujah chorus. A tradition that possibly began when George II stood up at the same point during an early performance of the work, and the rest of the audience felt obliged to stand as well. It has been suggested that the king actually stood because the discomfort caused by his gout made him want to stretch his legs.