(HUDSON, N.Y.) – The annual community Messiah SING takes place at the First Presbyterian Church as part of Classics on Hudson’s second season of concerts on Saturday, December 19, 2015, at 4pm. Directed by Gwen Gould, with an instrumental ensemble and featured soloists, the audience is invited to pick up a score and join the chorus to sing the Christmas portion of Handel’s magnificent oratorio.
Featured soloists for Saturday’s concert include soprano Katherine Rossiter, mezzo-soprano Kelly Newberry, tenor Chris Remkus, and bass Andrew Munn, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble featuring violinists Matthew Woodard and Zhi Ma, violist Jiawei Yan, cellist Emily Munstedt, and pianist Michael Clement, all under the baton of Gwen Gould.
Gould has enjoyed a diverse career as a recitalist, artistic director, conductor and entrepreneur. A national competition finalist, she had a career as an organist in NYC, performing in many of the major churches. She founded the West Village Chorale (1971), Columbia Festival Orchestra (1988), Diamond Opera Theater (2004), Claverack Landing (2010), and Classics on Hudson with Helena Baillie in 2014.
Composed in just three weeks during the summer of 1741, Messiah became a Christmas tradition while the composer was still alive, and received annual performances in London from 1750 until Handel’s death. From its soaring solos to the famous “Hallelujah” chorus, Messiah has earned a place among the favorite works in the classical canon.
There is a suggested donation of $15 at the door for adults, the concert is free for students 18 and under and families are welcome. Reservations are encouraged and can be made by calling the Hudson Opera House at 518.822.1438 or visiting Hudson Opera House.
Classics on Hudson seeks to enrich the cultural life of the greater Hudson community by presenting concerts that span the classics to the contemporary, performed by internationally celebrated artists. We serve to promote understanding and enjoyment of music through educational and concert experiences for audiences of all ages.
Hudson Opera House offers a year-round schedule of arts and cultural programming in the former Hudson City Hall, which houses New York State’s oldest surviving theater. Ongoing programs include concerts, readings, lectures, exhibitions, theater and dance presentations, after-school programs, workshops, classes and community arts events like the annual Winter Walk on Warren Street.