“Handel’s Messiah has become a fixture of the holiday season, synonymous with holiday traditions all over the world,” said Leslie Dala, Music Director of the Vancouver Bach Choir. “It’s the story of Christ’s life and death, told with joyful harmonies from one of history’s most admired composers. I’m deeply excited to be joined by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and to share this wonderful holiday staple with Vancouver audiences once again.”
Handel’s Messiah uses text taken entirely from the Bible to tell the story of Jesus Christ. Expressed in three parts, the story begins with the virgin birth and journeys through the events of Christ’s life and death, concluding with the resurrection. This significant narrative, coupled with the incredible talents of the Vancouver Bach Choir and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, come together to create a powerful and moving audience experience.
Vancouver’s presentation features acclaimed soloists, including Soprano: Rachel Fenlon, Mezzo-soprano: Sylvia Szadovszki, Tenor: Martin Sadd, and Baritone: Aaron Durand. The four artists will be familiar to Lower Mainland music lovers, as they were the vocalist participants in Vancouver Opera’s first-ever Yulanda M. Faris Young Artists Program last season.
Messiah first premiered in Dublin, Ireland on April 13, 1742. It was created to teach and inspire on the writings of the Bible at a time when illiteracy was common and printed Bibles were rare. Handel, already a well-established composer at the time, intended Messiah as an Easter performance. Over the years, it has slowly morphed into a custom observed around the winter holidays. Today, its famed Hallelujah Chorus is instantly recognized and cherished the world over.
Handel was born in Germany in 1685. His musical prowess was discovered at the early age of 11, and by 18 he had completed his first composition, the opera Almira. For the duration of his career, Handel worked as a musician and composer across Europe before eventually settling in London. Messiah is Handel’s most successful and long-lasting work, largely recognized as the greatest piece of Christian music ever written.
About The Vancouver Bach Choir (www.vancouverbachchoir.com)
Situated in Vancouver, the gateway of the Pacific Rim, the Vancouver Bach Choir is an award-winning 130-voice symphonic choir committed to offering vibrant and culturally diverse choral experiences to its audiences.
As one of the largest choral organizations in Canada, the Vancouver Bach Choir explores a wide range of repertoire from the past to the present with passion and commitment. Through its series of concerts presented at the magnificent Orpheum Theatre, the VBC continues to meet its mandate of commissioning and performing works by British Columbian and Canadian composers and presenting the world’s favourite symphonic choral works.
Over the past eight decades, the choir has performed with numerous world-class musicians. Under the baton of Maestro Leslie Dala, the VBC continues its mission and tradition to share the beauty of choral music with local, national, and international communities.
