Captivating holiday favourite matches powerful scripture and song - Dec. 4 & 5

Powerful and inspiring matching of scripture and song in the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra’Äôs presentation of Handel’Äôs Messiah

Friday, December 4th ’Äì 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 5th ’Äì 7:30 pm

Edmonton, AB ’Ķ In its annual tradition, your Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO) presents Handel’Äôs Messiah, one of the worlds most enduring and cherished works of faith and inspiration. For over 250 years, audiences have been captivated by this Baroque treasure and holiday favourite. In what is considered Handel’Äôs most famous creation, one of Canada’Äôs brightest young conductors, Jean-Marie Zeitouni, returns to the Francis Winspear Centre for Music for a joyous and powerful musical experience. Along with four highly-acclaimed international soloists, and two of Edmonton’Äôs finest chamber choirs, the ESO promises a stunning presentation of one of the greatest musical masterpieces of all time.

Making their ESO debut, Soprano Hˆ©lˆ®ne Guilmette, Mezzo-Soprano Daniela Mack, Tenor Colin Balzer, and Bass Stephen Hegedus will recreate the opulent power and stirring contrast of this famous oratorio, based on libretto by Charles Jennens. The inspired relation between the words and music, and the compelling spaciousness of Handel’Äôs music, will also be evoked by nearly 70 voices from the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers and i Coristi Chamber Choir. Backed by the full richness of the orchestra, concert patrons will be brought to their feet with its climactic ’ÄúHallelujah’Äù chorus, the most famous and recognizable piece from Handel’Äôs Messiah.

Ticket prices for this performance range from $20 ’Äì $79 (agency fees apply). All tickets for Youth/Child (aged 3 - 17) are $20 (agency fees apply). Tickets are available through the Winspear Centre Box Office at (780) 428-1414, toll-free 1-800-563-5081, or online at edmontonsymphony.com.

The next special performance for the ESO this season takes place on Monday, December 7, as the Canadian Tenors return for a sold out performance of traditional holiday favourites.

Thank you to our performance sponsors 105.9 Shine FM and AM 930 The Light, and our season media sponsors CBC and the Edmonton Journal.

The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, marking its 58th season in 2009-2010, has taken its place as one of Canada's foremost orchestral ensembles. Its current roster includes 56 musicians from Canada and around the world, performing a wide-ranging repertoire from the great classical masterworks to pops and children's concerts. The presence of the orchestra and its enrichment of the community's quality of life are key elements in the stature and profile of Edmonton on the national and international scene.