New Jersey Symphony Chamber Orchestra Presents Handel's MESSIAH

Music Director Jacques Lacombe and the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Orchestra present Handel's Messiah with the Montclair State University Singers and a quartet of international vocalists December 19-21 in Princeton, Neptune and Newark. Soprano Nathalie Paulin, mezzo-soprano Mireille Lebel, tenor Isaiah Bell and bass Gordon Bintner join the Orchestra for Handel's masterwork-a Christmastime tradition in concert halls across the world.

Performances take place on Friday, December 19, at 7:30 pm at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton; Saturday, December 20, at 7:30 pm at the Michael T. Lake Performing Arts Center in Neptune; and Sunday, December 21, at 3 pm at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.

'The Messiah holds a very special place in the repertoire,' Music Director Jacques Lacombe says, 'and for many people on a personal level as well. I feel l grew up with this music from an early age, singing in boychoir [and seeing people of all ages and walks of life] joining in to sing it together. The message of the piece is so powerful and universal-this music can really unify people.'

Lacombe is excited to bring the masterwork to Neptune, a community in which the Orchestra annually performs school-time concerts for young people, at the Michael T. Lake Performing Arts Center: 'We are proud to be a state orchestra, and we are very fortunate to perform in wonderful halls throughout New Jersey. I think reaching out to new audiences in their own communities is an important part of our mission, and I am very happy to expand our presence by performing the Messiah in Neptune in addition to two of our regular concert halls [in Princeton and Newark].'

Adding to the Neptune festivities, the Orchestra is offering a pre-concert buffet dinner at the concert hall, available as an add-on purchase.

TICKETS

Tickets for the December 19 and 21 performances in Princeton and Newark start at $25; tickets for the December 20 performance in Neptune start at $15. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.njsymphony.org or by phone at 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). The Neptune buffet dinner is an additional $29.95 for adults and $14.95 for students under 18; advance reservations are required.

THE PROGRAM

Handel's Messiah

Friday, December 19 at 7:30 pm | Richardson Auditorium in Princeton

Saturday, December 20 at 7:30 pm | Michael T. Lake Performing Arts Center in Neptune

Friday, December 21 at 3 pm | NJPAC in Newark

Jacques Lacombe, conductor

Nathalie Paulin, soprano

Mireille Lebel, mezzo-soprano

Isaiah Bell, tenor

Gordon Bintner, bass

Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director

New Jersey Symphony Chamber Orchestra

HANDEL Messiah

The Orchestra invites the audience to participate in the centuries-old tradition of standing at the beginning of the Messiah's 'Hallelujah Chorus.'

Full concert information is available at www.njsymphony.org/events/detail/handels-messiah.

The December 19 performance is presented in collaboration with McCarter Theatre. The December 20 performance is hosted by the Neptune Township School District Board of Education. The December 21 performance is presented in collaboration with the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

To post a comment, you must register and login.