Houston Chamber Choir to Perform MESSIAH, 3/28

Mozart greatly admired Handel's Messiah, and when asked in 1788 to perform it he happily agreed - that is, of course, after he'd given it a thorough updating. The Houston Chamber Choir brings Houston audiences a rare chance to hear this masterpiece as re-orchestrated by Mozart, complete with all the instruments then considered standard for a classical symphony: trombones, horns, and, Mozart's favorite instrument, the clarinet. What a team Handel and Mozart make! Handel's original intention remains unchanged. It will be performed in its entirety as an Easter reflection on the biblical depiction of the life, birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Dr. Jeffrey Sposato of University of Houston's Moores School of Music will present a pre-concert talk beginning at 7:00 pm before the March 28th performance.

Mozart's Messiah Magic

Friday, March 27, 2015, 7:30 pm
Prince of Peace Catholic Community
19222 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX 77070

Saturday, March 28, 2015, 7:30 pm
South Main Baptist Church
4100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
7:00 pm pre-concert talk with Dr. Jeffrey Sposato

Premiered in April of 1742, George Frederic Handel's Messiah remains one of the great achievements of Western civilization, and is without question one of the composer's finest works. It is with this reverence that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart set out to bring the older master's work into the conventions of his time. Yet, even with fuller harmonies, the addition of wind instruments, re-assigned arias, and a tightened framework, Handel's composition remains the singular composition he envisioned over 270 years ago. As Mozart's biographer notes, "Mozart knew how to give new life to Handel's noble inspirations by means of the warmth of his own feeling, and through the magic of his own instrumental style to make them enjoyable for our age."

TICKETS: Admission to the March 27th performance is free. General admission tickets to the March 28th performance are $40 for Adults, $36 for Seniors (65+), and $10 for students (with valid ID). Purchase tickets online at www.houstonchamberchoir.org or by calling (713) 224-5566.

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