The Music Hall to Present MESSIAH SING!, 12/22

The Music Hall will welcome back the Seacoast's largest Messiah Sing! Monday, December 22 at 7:30pm, for a tenth season of the Seacoast's best-loved choruses and conductors, guest soloists and orchestral accompaniment. Join together with friends and family in a community performance featuring Handel's triumphant Christmas oratorio. Patrons may bring their own score, or purchase one at The Music Hall. There will be a rehearsal in the auditorium starting at 6:30pm for all ticket holders and vocal scores may be purchased the night of the performance.

"Nothing can compare to this transcendent community sing in our glorious historic theater which is decorated for the holidays and capped with a magnificent crystal chandelier" says Patricia Lynch, Executive Director of The Music Hall. "Patrons are also participants: every member of the audience has the opportunity to follow the signs for sopranos, altos, tenors, and bass and seat themselves. Whether people choose to simply view the performance or to raise their voices in song, they're swept up in an uplifting and unforgettable celebration of the season."

The concert includes selections from George Friedrich Handel's choral masterpiece and runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission. Messiah was composed by George Friedrich Handel (1685-1759) over the span of 24 days in August 1741. The first performance was given in Dublin, Ireland the following April with the composer conducting. The texts for the oratorio were compiled by Charles Jennens, an English librettist.

For those who aren't familiar with the concept of a Messiah Sing, Priscilla French, concert organizer, explains, "Messiah Sings are a tradition in many communities during the Christmas season. Singers of all ranks are invited to sing through the Christmas portion (Part I) of Handel's most famous oratorio, Messiah. It's kind of a 'happening'-great fun and one of the best ways I know to celebrate the true meaning behind the Christmas season. Bring your friends and family and your own score and join us for this glorious occasion."

Amare Cantare, Community Chorus at South Berwick, Granite State Choral Society, New Hampshire Youth Chorus, Portsmouth Pro Musica, Rockingham Choral Society, Seacoast Choral Society, and Seacoast Community Chorus.

Conductors for The Music Hall event will come from the ranks of conductors of all the participating choruses: Catherine Beller-McKenna, Harry Moon, Seth Hurd, Madelyn Gearheart, Priscilla French, Andrew Gaydos, Christopher Sand, and Wendell Scott Purrington.

This years featured soloists are Gina Connolly, soprano; Ashley Wade, mezzo-soprano; Christopher Laux, baritone; and Christopher Sand, Tenor, all four are local singers.

Messiah Sing! takes place at The Music Hall's Historic Theater on Monday, December 22, at 7:30pm. Tickets are $17 and can be purchased at The Music Hall box office at 28 Chestnut Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, by phone at 603-436-2400, or online at www.themusichall.org

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