Handel's Messiah: Elmer Iseler Singers

The Messiah

Conducted by the Legendary Sir David Willcocks

Friday, December 5^th at Metropolitan United Church at 8pm

”Handel understands effect better than any of us” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

For Immediate Release – Toronto, November 3, 2008: The Elmer Iseler Singers ring in the holiday season on Friday, December 5^th at Metropolitan United Church with the sonorous melodies of the baroque masterpiece, The Messiah by George Friedrich Handel. This year again, the chamber ensemble joins forces with the Amadeus Choir to form an impressive 100-voice choir. To highlight the Elmer Iseler Singers’ 30^th anniversary season, conductor Lydia Adams – who also celebrates her 10^th anniversary as Artistic Director and Conductor, has invited her long-time friend and mentor, the legendary Sir David Willcocks to be at the podium.

Sir David Willcocks (born December 30, 1919) is a renowned British choral conductor, organist, and composer. From 1957 to 1974 he held the post for which he is probably best-known, Director of Music at King's College, Cambridge. He has achieved a standard of performing and teaching second to none in the musical world. Willcocks has conducted in most European countries as well as Japan, the United States and Canada, and edited several collections of choral music. Continuing Canada’s Elmer Iseler Singers commitment to presenting outstanding Canadian soloists, the resounding event features guest artists Leslie Fagan (soprano), Jennifer Enns (mezzo-soprano), Colin Ainsworth (tenor) and Tyler Duncan (bass). A hand-picked orchestra of exceptional Canadian musicians augments the luscious-sounding choruses of Handel’s Messiah along with two featured trumpet players, Robert Venables and Robert DiVito and the distinguished Toronto organist, Patricia Wright.

Messiah is certainly Handel's most popular work and one of the most renowned pieces of sacred music in English. It was also a favorite of the composer, who wrote it in 1741 in only 24 days. The beloved oratorio is performed today in many different ways and circumstances, but Handel’s genius is apparent – the genius recognized by Haydn who said, “He is indeed, the father of us all”; by Mozart, who declared, “Handel understands effect better than any of us”; and by Beethoven, who confessed, “I would uncover my head to kneel down on his tomb.”

Need a stocking stuffer? This special concert is also an opportunity to obtain the newly released biography: ELMER ISELER, Choral Visionary by Walter Pitman – Dundurn Press or one of the Elmer Iseler Singers’ many recordings.

Handel’s MESSIAH conducted by Sir David Willcocks

Friday, December 5^th 2008 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! Please call: 416-217-0537

http://www.elmeriselersingers.com/