November 23, 2023 – For the second year in a row, we are thrilled to present Handel’s Messiah with the Bach Elgar Choir (BEC) this holiday season! Our two Messiah concerts will take place at Melrose United Church on Saturday, December 16 at 7:30pm and a matinée on Sunday, December 17 at 3pm. BEC Artistic Director Alexander Cann will conduct both performances featuring four well-established vocalists as soloists: Sheila Dietrich (Soprano), Jennifer Enns Modolo (Mezzo-Soprano), Ernesto Ramirez (Tenor) and Alex Halliday (Bass-Baritone).
“The HPO is proud to partner with longtime partner, the Bach Elgar Choir to present this momentous work,” says HPO Executive Director Kim Varian. “The Bach Elgar Choir knows the music of The Messiah inside and out, and after an exquisite concert with them last season, including an unforgettable rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus, we can’t wait to bring this beloved work to life for our community once again.”
“Messiah is of course excellent on its own terms, a work of great personal feeling, life-affirming vigour, and philosophical depth,” says Alexander Cann. “There is no question that Handel was writing from a well of personal reflection on the grandest possible subject: the journey of a life from birth to death, and its shattering and emancipating consequence to the world. All of time is encapsulated here, from ancient times to an unending future.”
Adult tickets are $45, senior tickets (age 65+) are $40, and tickets for 25 years-old and under are $20. With performances of this work being an annual tradition for so many families in Hamilton, we hope that you will join us for this special collaboration between the HPO and BEC.
Handel’s Messiah
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 7:30pm Melrose United Church (86 Homewood Ave.)
Handel’s Messiah Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 3pm
Melrose United Church (86 Homewood Ave.)
Alexander Cann, Conductor Sheila Dietrich, Soprano Jennifer Enns Modolo, Mezzo-Soprano Ernesto Ramirez, Tenor Alex Halliday, Bass-Baritone
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About Bach Elgar Choir: The Bach Elgar Choir is Hamilton’s renowned concert choir and a leader in Canadian choral music. Founded in 1905 by Bruce Carey as The Elgar Choir, and merging with the Hamilton Bach Choir in 1946, the ensemble has been thrilling crowds for 117 years. Today, the Bach Elgar Choir remains dedicated to bringing beautiful music to all members of our community and its productions are among the most essential musical events in Hamilton. The BEC produces choral repertoire of many genres at the highest artistic standard. Recent performances include Mozart’s Requiem, Handel’s Israel in Egypt, Brahms’ Requiem, and the celebrated annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah. Appearing often with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and employing extraordinary local and national solo vocal talent, the BEC is proud to be an intrinsic part of Hamilton’s thriving and evolving arts scene.
About the HPO: For over a century, the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra has presented orchestral music and education programs with a mission to enrich the wellbeing of the greater Hamilton region. Music Director Gemma New and the professional musicians of the HPO present dynamic orchestral performances ranging from standard classical repertoire to popular music and world premieres by living composers. As one of Canada’s leading professional orchestras, the HPO has proudly contributed to the shaping of Hamilton’s cultural landscape and continues to uphold values of high calibre, inclusive and accessible orchestral music and education for all.
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