HANDEL’S MESSIAH, a Masterpiece for the Holidays

L’Harmonie des Saisons Choir and Orchestra

Handel, through his signature melodies and fullness of harmony, brings together in his MESSIAH the contemplation of divine mystery, compassion, hope and triumph at its most poignant.

For this performance, L’Harmonie des saisons will present the first part of the Messiah, which recounts the events surrounding the birth of Jesus; and will end with the Hallelujah, replete with its irresistible, exuberant choir, today a universal symbol of joy and gratitude.

L’Harmonie des saisons
Founded in 2010 by co-directors Mélisande Corriveau and Eric Milnes, ensemble L’Harmonie des saisons inspires audiences with its fresh and unique musical approach. After presenting forty different programs in over 150 concerts, the ensemble, which performs on period instruments, continues to expand its acclaim throughout Quebec, Canada and abroad.

L’HARMONIE DES SAISONS CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA
Mélisande Corriveau, artistic director • Eric Milnes, conductor

Soloists:
Hélène Brunet, soprano
Daniel Taylor, alto
Philippe Gagné, tenor
Jonathon Adams, baritone

Choir:
Bronwyn Thies-Thompson, Rebecca Dowd-Lexk, Maude Fréchette-Gagné, sorpanos
Josée Lalonde, Matthew Muggeridge, Maude Côté-Gendron, altos
Kerry Bursey, Jean-Sébastien Allaire, Bernard Cayouette, tenors
William Kraushaar, Clayton Kennedy, Léo McKenna, basses

Orchestra:
Julia Wedman, solo violin
Noemy Gagnon-Lafrenais, Marie Nadeau-Tremblay, violins
Guillaume Villeneuve, Laura Andriani, Jessy Dubé, violins
Hélène Plouffe, Margaret Little, altos
Mélisande Corriveau, Felix Deak, cellos
Pierre Cartier, double bass
Matthew Jennejohn, Karim Nasr, oboes
François Viault, bassoon
Christopher Price, Amir Rabinovitz, trumpets
Philip Hornsey, timpany
Eric Milnes, harpsichord

Concert program
MESSIAH, an Oratorio, by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Part the First

1. Sinfonia
2. Tenor Recitative: Comfort ye, my people
3. Tenor Aria: Every valley shall be exalted
4. Chorus: And the glory of the Lord
5. Bass Recitative: Thus saith the Lord
6. Alto Aria: But who may abide
7. Chorus: And he shall purify
8. Alto Recitative: Behold, a virgin shall conceive
9. Alto Aria & Choir: O thou that tellest good tidings
10. Bass Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
11. Bass Aria: The people that walked in darkness
12. Chorus: For unto us a child is born
13. Pifa (Pastoral Symphony)
14a. Soprano Recitative: There were shepherds abiding in the field
14b Soprano Arioso: But lo, the angel of the Lord
15. Soprano Recitative: And the angel of the Lord said unto them
16. Soprano Recitative: And suddenly there was with the angel
17. Chorus: Glory to God
18. Soprano Aria: Rejoice, greatly
19. Alto Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind
20. Alto & Soprano Duet: He shall feed His flock
21. Chorus: His yoke is easy and his burden is light
22. Chorus: Halleluia

Recorded at The Bishop Stewart Memorial Church, Frelighsburg, Qc, and at St. George Anglican Church, Granby, Qc
Live on December 13 at 2:00 pm EST – Available until December 27

To purchase your virtual ticket visit: www.quebecbaroque.com