The Do-It-Yourself Messsiah

The Do-It-Yourself Messiah 

      On Monday night my mom and I went to the Do-It-Yourself Messiah at the Lyric Opera House. We rode on the train with the Yen family and their church, and Mrs. Burns and her six year old son, Bradley, went with us. Handel’s Messiah was magnificent as I knew it would be, but watching Bradley enjoy the experience was priceless! Little Bradley and I have known each other for quite a while. The Burns family attend our church and Mrs. Burns is the Principal of the home school group my sister attends called Classical Consortium. Well, when Bradley and I see each other at church, he is very quick to sing me his newest song, play something on the piano, or tell a new joke (or maybe even an old one). Bradley has told me that he dreams of becoming an opera singer when he grows up, so of course we have found that we are kindred spirits even if there is a “slight” age difference. When he and his mom heard that we were going to the Messiah, they couldn’t resist coming along. Bradley’s absolute favorite song is the Hallelujah Chorus, which he has been known to sing with his recording quite often at home. On the train ride to the city, I was able to convince Bradley to sing Kathryn, Tara, and Brita, (a girl from the Yen’s church) and me a song. He chose “Frosty the Snowman” and did a terrific job. When we got off the train, Bradley quickly grabbed my hand and decided to claim me for the rest of the night. I have decided to list a few of the hilarious things Bradley said during the course of the evening. Enjoy!

• As we walked over the bridge on the way to the Opera House... 

Bradley: “Is that the Mississippi River?” 

Me: “Uh, no Bradley.”

• I told Bradley that I was freezing cold after waiting outside the Opera House for about ten minutes while we all waited for the doors to open... 

Bradley: “I think I am going to call you Emily Chilly-low.”

Me, trying to repress my laughter: “Oh, okay.”

• As we entered the Opera House...

Bradley, turning to me: “Is this the City Hall?”

Me: “No, this is the Lyric Opera House.”

Bradley: “Is that like a city hall?”

Me: “Um, no, Bradley.”

Bradley, looking dejected: “Oh... Well, I know what a city hall is!”

•Bradley turning to his mom as we took our seats...

“Mom, is this the Sydney Opera House?”

Mrs. Burns: “No, Bradley, that’s in Australia. We live in America.”

Bradley: “Oh.”

•As we looked over the railing of the top balcony of the Lyric...

Bradley, looking down calmly: “That’s, uh, pretty far down.”

Me: “Yep.”

Bradley: “Are you scared of heights?”

Me: “No. Are you?”

Bradley: “A little.”

A moment of silence. Then Bradley looks at me and says very matter-of-factly: “I’m a... little scared.”

•Looking at my necklace once we sat down in our seats.

Bradley, astonished: “Are those real pearls?” 

•Then looking at the cameo pendant hanging from my string of pearls...

Bradley: “Is that a president?”

•During the Soprano soloist’s air Rejoice!...

Bradley turning to his mom: “Is she singing about toys?”

•After the Soprano air I Know That My Redeemer Liveth...

Bradley, whispering to me: “Wasn’t she good?”

Me: “Oh, yes!”

Bradley: “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Me: “Thanks, Bradley.”

•When Kathryn and I told him that the Hallelujah Chorus was next...

Bradley: “Awesome!”

•While walking out of the Opera House after the Messiah was over...

Bradley, shaking his head: “New York City sure is a busy town!”

Mrs. Burns: “Bradley, do you know where you are right now?”

Bradley: “Downtown!”

Mrs. Burns: “Downtown where?”

Bradley: “I don’t know!”

Mrs. Burns giving up: “Chicago, Bradley. You live in Chicago.”

•After I promised Bradley that I would sit next to him on the train..

Bradley: “Emily, I am really glad I am sitting next to you on the train!”

Me: “Bradley, I am really glad I am sitting next to you on the train!”

•Just as we sat down on the train across from each other...

Bradley: “Oh, good! Now we can tell jokes!”

Me, laughing because Bradley told jokes the whole way to Chicago as well: “Oh... good.”

•As I shuffled our cards for a game of Go Fish...

Bradley in amazement: “Wow! You’re really awesome at that!”

After I fanned out his hand of cards...

Bradley, amazed again: “Wow! They’re perfect!”

Playing I Spy...

Bradley: “I spy something that is red on top, white in the middle and is covered with brown dots.”

Me, after a few minutes of guessing: “I give up, what is it?”

Bradley: “My head!”