The three concerts, presented by The Tower Theatre Foundation, will include the Messiah and several holiday carols. Concerts are scheduled for Saturday, December 10 at 7pm and Sunday, December 11 with a matinee performance at 2pm and a final concert later that evening at 7pm. Tickets are available through the Tower Theater Box Office, towertheatre.org, telephone 541-317-0700.
Artistic Director and Conductor Christian Clark is thrilled to lead Handel’s glorious Messiah for the first time, having previously performed the tenor solos. “We hope the thrilling choruses, soaring solos and triumphant orchestration will be a joyful and powerful beginning to your holiday celebrations!” says Clark.
The ensemble will perform Part 1 (the “Christmas” portion) of Messiah, which includes six choruses, solos, duets and orchestral interludes. With splendid soloists from Bend and beyond: Samantha Winter and Jocelyn Claire Thomas, sopranos; Jacalyn Kreitzer, mezzo-soprano; David Gustafson, tenor; and Zachary Lenox, baritone. The second half will feature holiday favorites including The First Nowell, Angels We Have Heard on High, Ring Out, Ye Bells, O Holy Night and three splendid versions of Ave Maria, including the beloved setting from Rachmaninoff’s Vespers. And not to be missed…a brand new arrangement of A Basque Carol, by award-winning local composer and cellist, Chris Thomas.
The concert concludes with the famous Hallelujah Chorus, and the audience will be invited to join in singing the finale.
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In addition to the December 10-11 Holiday Concerts, Mastersingers will be caroling at several Central Oregon locations including the Deschutes Public Library and the Old Mill District, December 13-17.
The Mastersingers’ last performance of Messiah dates back to 2015, and was led by Mastersingers’ Founder and Director Emeritus, Clyde Thompon. Now, Artistic Director Clark is at the helm and leads the 70+ chorus and orchestra members that comprise the Central Oregon Mastersingers. Having emerged from a COVID-related void of regular rehearsals and performances, Mastersingers is delighted to bring this music to you live!
Central Oregon Mastersingers is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and member of the Arts and Culture Alliance of Central Oregon. The group has been performing for Central Oregon audiences since 2005. Last June the singers were invited to perform Brahms’ Requiem at Carnegie Hall.