New Mexico Philharmonic to Perform Handel’s Messiah on December 8th & 9th at
Central United Methodist Church
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ALBUQUERQUE, NM, October 16, 2012—One of the Western world’s favorite holiday traditions is the performance of Handel’s popular and well-known choral work, Messiah.
On Saturday, December 8th at 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 9th at 3 p.m., the New Mexico Philharmonic will join with the Central United Methodist Church Choir to present the classic that was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
The popular local conductor and violinist David Felberg will lead the orchestra, with Jerrilyn Foster conducting the Central United Methodist Choir. Soloists are Cammy Cook, soprano, Jacqueline Zander-Wall, mezzo-soprano, Javier Gonzalez, tenor, and Ivan Conrad, bass.
Handel’s reputation in England, where he had lived since 1713, had been established through his compositions of Italian opera. In response to changes in public taste, he turned to English oratorio in the 1730s, Messiah being the sixth work in this genre. Although its structure resembles that of conventional opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations of characters and very little direct speech. With a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer, the choral work is an extended reflection on Jesus Christ as Messiah, moving from the prophetic phrases of Isaiah and others, through the Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection of Christ to his ultimate glorification in heaven.
Handel wrote Messiah for modest vocal and instrumental forces, with optional settings for many of the individual numbers. In the years after his death, the work was adapted for performance on a much larger scale, with giant orchestras and choirs.
Single ticket prices are $25, $40, and a $55 VIP ticket, which includes a post-concert reception with the artists. Tickets are available at holdmyticket.com and (505) 886-1251. Central United Methodist Church is located at 201 University Avenue NE, just one block north of Central Avenue. For more information, call (505) 323-4343.
As the major professional orchestra in the state, the New Mexico Philharmonic is committed to inspiring audiences of all ages and backgrounds through its artistic excellence, innovative programming and educational and community engagement.
The New Mexico Philharmonic is a non-profit corporation recognized as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by the IRS. To learn more about upcoming performances or to become a volunteer, please visit www.nmphil.org. Donations are gratefully accepted at www.nmphil.org/contrib.
Media Contact: Chris Rancier
505-263-2959
crancier@comcast.net
