Two leading Blue Mountains choirs join forces with the voices of Penrith City Choir to perform in Messiah at Penrith’s Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on December 6.
Since its hugely successful premiere Dublin in 1742, raising funds for Irish famine relief, Handel’s Messiah has remained consistently the most-performed choral work of all time, and one of the best-loved pieces in the Western musical repertoire.
A highlight of the musical calendar throughout the world, Messiah never fails to provide concert-goers and church congregations with an uplifting musical experience in the run-up to Christmas.
Continuing this tradition, Penrith Symphony Orchestra and Penrith City Choir present Messiah once again this year, on Sunday, December 6, at 3pm at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.
Conducted by PSO’s artistic director Paul Terracini, this year’s performance features four outstanding soloists – soprano Joelene Griffith, mezzo-soprano Jermaine Chau, tenor Evan Kirby and bass Andrew Williams. All four are graduates or leading students of the Sydney or Newcastle Conservatoriums.
Evan Kirby’s recent performance with PSO as King Kaspar in “Amahl and the Night Visitors” was highly acclaimed for his vocal purity and engaging performance. The stentorian tones of Andrew Williams will also be familiar to those who heard him in PSO’s operatic production last year.
Recitalist and opera singer Joelene Griffith makes her oratorio debut with PSO, and will also appear next year in two leading roles in the orchestra’s 2016 opera season. Also performing for the first time with PSO is the multi-talented opera singer and architect, Jermaine Chau.
The chorus, directed by Lucy McAlary, combines Penrith City Choir and two Blue Mountains choirs, Academy Singers and Warrimoo Chorale, as well as members of Penrith City Youth Choir.
Performances of Messiah always attract a large audience, so early booking is recommended.
Bookings are via the Joan Sutherland Centre box office, by phone on 4723 7600 or at www.thejoan.com.au.
