The Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra and Chorus invites you to experience the intimacy and drama of Messiah, Handel’s most beloved choral masterpiece.
Messiah transcends cultural, geographic, and religious boundaries with its message of charity, peace, goodwill, and sacrifice. It also contains some of the most uplifting, touching, and magnificent music ever composed.
Although the subject material of Messiah is drawn from Christian doctrine and musically narrates the life story of Christ, considerable numbers of people from a variety of cultures and beliefs consider the work to be one of their most cherished holiday customs.
The CSO’s Messiah in the Valley concert will be performed four times throughout the Fraser Valley, and on Dec. 14 in Chilliwack.
CSO director, Paula DeWit, will lead four amazing, young soloists, the Chilliwack Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Chilliwack Children’s and Youth Choir and Belle Voci in four concerts.
“Among our new soloists this year is emerging artist, soprano Colleen Donnelly, daughter of Vancouver Canuck’s O Canada singer, Mark Donnelly. Also performing for the first time with the Chilliwack Symphony, are tenor Taylor Fawcett and Aldergrove bass-baritone, David Rosborough. Returning to sing the alto solo parts of Messiah is popular countertenor Shane Hanson, originally from Chilliwack,” says DeWit.
Christina Hutten, one of a handful of female harpsichordists in Canada, will be also be performing. Hutten has performed in churches and concert halls all across Europe and North America, with a special interest in early music and the harpsichord, an Old World instrument that came into being during the renaissance era, but gained prominence in the baroque period.
The Dec. 14 Chilliwack concert of Messiah in the Valley is at 7:30 p.m. at First Avenue Christian Assembly (46510 First Ave.). Other concerts include: Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. at St. James (2777 Townline Rd., Abbotsford); Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph (20676 Fraser Hwy., Langley); and Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. at Sts. Joachim and Ann (2827 273 St., Aldergrove).
Tickets start at $15. Available by phone at 604-795-0521, online at chilliwacksymphony.com, at King’s Music (Chilliwack and Abbotsford concerts only), or at the door for all locations. Aldergrove performance admission is by donation.