The Messiah: December 4

The Messiah
Elmer Iseler Singers, Amadeus Choir and Orchestra conducted by Lydia Adams
Friday, December 4th 2009 at Metropolitan United Church at 8pm

’ÄùHandel understands effect better than any of us’Äù ’Äì Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Toronto, November 17, 2009: Toronto’Äôs Elmer Iseler Singers and conductor/Canadian Music Centre ambassador Lydia Adams welcome in the holiday season with the vibrant melodies of The Messiah by George Friedrich Handel on Friday, December 4th at Metropolitan United Church. Continuing their annual tradition, the acclaimed Elmer Iseler Singers join forces with the Amadeus Choir to revive the outstanding and ingenious baroque work, possibly one of the most successful pieces ever written.

Handel composed The Messiah in 24 days without once leaving his house. The oratorio was first performed in Dublin on April 13th, 1742, and immediately won huge popular success. ’ÄúWords are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crowded Audience. The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestic, and moving Words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear..." These were sentiments expressed in Faulkner's Dublin Journal following the first performance in Neals Musick Hall in Dublin. This premiere proved to be a personal triumph to Handel and helped restore his self-confidence during a very difficult time in his life.

This year again, the Elmer Iseler Singers team up with outstanding Canadian soloists: Meredith Hall (soprano), Allyson McHardy (mezzo-soprano), Michael Colvin (tenor) and Peter McGillivray (bass), and welcome back the two featured trumpet players, Robert Venables and Robert DiVito and the distinguished Toronto organist, Patricia Wright. A hand-picked orchestra of accomplished Canadian musicians augments the luscious-sounding choruses of Handel’Äôs Messiah.

Need a stocking stuffer? This Messiah performance is the perfect opportunity to obtain the newly released CD of Peter-Anthony Togni’Äôs ’ÄúLamentations of Jeremiah’Äù on the prestigious international ECM label featuring conductor Lydia Adams, the Elmer Iseler Singers with bass clarinet improviser/virtuoso Jeff Reilly and soprano Rebecca Whelan. The biography, ELMER ISELER, Choral Visionary by Walter Pitman ’Äì Dundurn Press and various Elmer Iseler Singers’Äô recordings will also be available.

Handel’Äôs MESSIAH conducted by Lydia Adams
Friday, December 4th 2009 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.
For information about tickets and the Pre-Messiah Dinner, please call: 416-217-0537
http://www.elmeriselersingers.com/