Please note that this post contains affiliate links and any sales made through such links will reward MageeNews.com a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
Hallelujah! The Meistersingers Perform Handel’s Messiah
The Meistersingers of Mississippi will usher in the season with a performance of Handel’s Messiah on December 3 at 3 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Hattiesburg. Dr. Jay Dean takes to the podium for his first time conducting the venerable chorus and orchestra. Tickets to this seasonal favorite are now available at meistersingerrsofms.com.
Messiah, composed by Georg Frideric Händel, has been a world-renowned musical favorite since the mid-1700s. With lyrical solos, a large choir and full orchestra, the music foretells and celebrates the birth of Christ, and is one of the pinnacles of Baroque musical art. The performance will culminate in the rousing “Hallelujah Chorus,” the most enduring choral piece in history.
The Meistersingers will be joined by musicians from the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra and soloists Stacey Trenteseaux, Myka Murphy, Derek Meler, and Paul Houghtaling.
“This year marks the 280th anniversary of Handel’s Messiah,” said Dr. Jay Dean. “This glorious work has been performed every year since its premier in 1742 and is performed numerous times around the world on an annual basis; it is literally the most often performed oratorio in history. It gives me great pleasure to conduct the Christmas portion of this work in concert with the Meistersingers Chorus, four wonderful soloists, and members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.”
The Meistersingers, Hattiesburg’s Civic Chorus, is an all-volunteer, community group of musicians that has offered concerts for local audiences since its founding in 1996. In addition, the choir has performed at Lincoln Center in New York City, at Cadogan Hall in London, and at Canterbury Cathedral. The Chorus is the founding arm of the Hattiesburg Concert Association, also known for the three-week annual event, FestivalSouth.
Tickets for Messiah are $25.00 each and may be purchased online at www.meistersingersofms.com. Based on availability, a limited number of free tickets for college students with valid ID, will be offered at the door five minutes prior to the concert.
MageeNews.com is an online news source serving Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.