FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Nicole Gallego
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
(203) 865-0831, ext. 21
ngallego@newhavensymphony.org
Please Note: A selection of top-quality, digital photos are immediately available by email.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH IN CONCERT
New Haven, CT, November 10, 2009: For centuries audiences have reveled in the magnificence of Handel’s Messiah. Join the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Music Director William Boughton, and the voices of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph Schola Cantorum in a performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s epic masterpiece Thursday, December 17, 2009, 7:00pm, First Congregational Church of Old Lyme or Sunday, December 20, 2009, 7:00pm, First Congregational Church of Madison. Featuring the Hallelujah chorus and other selected works.
Considered Handel’s best known work, Messiah premiered in Dublin in 1742 at a charity benefit concert at the Foundling Hospital, an organization for underprivileged children, which still exists today as The Thomas Coram Foundation.
A preview of the Messiah concert will be led by Maestro Boughton on Wednesday, November 20 at 7:00pm at the First Congregational Church of Madison. The preview includes a discussion of this epic masterpiece complete with sound clips. The preview is free and open to the public.
William Boughton, the tenth Music Director of the NHSO joined the NHSO in 2007 after more than 25 years as founder and director of the English Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Boughton brings with him a reputation as one of the foremost English conductors of his generation. He has made more than sixty recordings, most under the Nimbus Records label, several having reached top ten on the U.S. charts. Maestro has guest conducted the world’s leading orchestras from San Francisco to Helsinki and has worked with leading soloists on the international circuit, including such artists as Nigel Kennedy, Emmanuel Ax, and Radu Lupu.
Founded in 1997 by Archdiocesan Music Director and Organist, Dr. Ezequiel Menéndez, the Cathedral of Saint Joseph’s Schola Cantorum is a mixed choir comprised of twenty-one professional singers. Currently under the direction of Yale School of Music professor Jeffrey Douma, the ensemble’s primary duty is providing music for Sunday liturgies and special Archdiocesan services. In addition to their liturgical function, the Schola also maintains an active concert schedule. Their repertoire is very diverse and illustrates the Schola’s facility in a wide range of musical styles. Recent performances include Finzi’s In terra pax, Bach’s Saint John Passion with noted baroque orchestra Arcadia Players, and an October 2009 performance of Ariel Ramirez’ Misa Criolla with accompaniment by traditional South American instruments. In addition to this season’s appearance with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra in performances of Handel’s Messiah, the Schola Cantorum will also perform Mozart’s Requiem in a joint concert with the Cathedral Choir and Soloists and the Arcadia Players.
Tickets: Premium Seats (first 6 rows) $45/adult and General Admission $30/adult; Children $15 can be purchased by calling the NHSO Box Office at (203) 865-0831, ext. 10 or online at newhavensymphony.org. Tickets are limited so act fast!
The Madison performance is made possible in part by the generous support of Saint Raphael Healthcare System and Guilford Savings Bank. The Old Lyme performance is made possible in part by support from Lawrence & Memorial Hospital.
All programs subject to change without notice.
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