…for “Messiah.”
Handel’s soaring oratorio is as much a part of the holiday season as “Feliz Navidad,” fruitcake and fantasies of winter wonderlands. Sometimes it seems as if everyone except the Lubavitcher Chorus chimes in.
But Westporters should take note of two special performances.
George Friedrich Handel
On Saturday, Dec. 19 the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut offer a joint “Messiah” production. Their 4th annual holiday co-presentation is set for Norwalk Concert Hall, at 8 p.m.
The NSO is celebrating its 70th season; MCC, its 25th. There are plenty of Westporters involved — Elaine Arnow, Marjorie Freilich-Den, Richard Epstein, Anna Czekaj-Farber, Margeaux Johansson, Jennifer Judge, Carol Maloney, Yvonne Senturia, Nicholas Thiemann, Andrea Turner and Audrey Williams — and their lusty song will be heard, no doubt, far beyond East Avenue.
Three days later — on Tuesday, Dec. 22 — Alice Lipson will appear at Avery Fisher Hall (8 p.m.). She’s best known as the choral director at Staples (where “Messiah” highlights the annual Candlelight Concert). At Lincoln Center, she’ll serve as a guest conductor.
Alice will conduct nearly 3,000 singers — the audience — in this magnificent event. Be sure to bring your own score.
Hallelujah!
