Dr. Lydia Adams, Conductor
The Messiah
Elmer Iseler Singers,
Amadeus Choir and Orchestra conducted by Lydia Adams
Friday, December 4th 2009 at
Metropolitan United Church at 8pm
”Handel understands effect better than any of us” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
For Immediate Release –
Toronto, November 17, 2009:
Toronto’s Elmer Iseler Singers
and conductor/Canadian Music Centre
ambassador Lydia Adams
welcome in the holiday season with the vibrant melodies
of The Messiah by George Friedrich Handel on Friday,
December 4th at Metropolitan United Church. Continuing
their annual tradition, the acclaimed Elmer Iseler Singers join forces with
the Amadeus Choir to revive the outstanding and ingenious baroque
work, possibly one of the most successful pieces ever written.
Handel composed The Messiah
in 24 days without once leaving his house. The oratorio was first performed
in Dublin on April 13th,
1742, and immediately won huge popular success. “Words are wanting to
express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crowded Audience.
The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated,
majestic, and moving Words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished
Heart and Ear..." These were sentiments expressed in Faulkner's Dublin Journal
following the first performance in Neals Musick Hall in
Dublin. This premiere proved to
be a personal triumph to Handel and helped restore his self-confidence
during a very difficult time in his life.
This year again, the Elmer
Iseler Singers team up with outstanding Canadian soloists: Meredith
Hall (soprano), Allyson McHardy (mezzo-soprano), Michael
Colvin (tenor) and Peter McGillivray (bass), and welcome back the
two featured trumpet players, Robert Venables and Robert DiVito
and the distinguished Toronto organist, Patricia Wright. A
hand-picked orchestra of accomplished Canadian musicians augments the
luscious-sounding choruses of Handel’s Messiah.
Need a stocking stuffer? This
Messiah performance is the perfect opportunity to obtain the newly released
CD of Peter-Anthony Togni’s “Lamentations of Jeremiah”
on the prestigious international ECM label featuring conductor Lydia
Adams, the Elmer Iseler Singers with bass clarinet
improviser/virtuoso Jeff Reilly and soprano Rebecca Whelan.
The biography, ELMER ISELER, Choral Visionary by Walter Pitman
– Dundurn Press and various Elmer Iseler Singers’ recordings will also be
available.
Handel’s MESSIAH conducted
by Lydia Adams
Friday, December 4th 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Metropolitan United Church: 56 Queen St. East (at Bond), Toronto
Tickets: $50 Reg. $45 Sen. $10. Students w/ valid student I.D.
Group Rates Also Available.
For information about tickets and the Pre-Messiah Dinner, please call:
416-217-0537 www.elmeriselersingers.com
