Houston Chamber Choir Presents Holiday Concerts MESSIAH and CHRISTMAS AT THE VILLA, Dec 2013

The Houston Chamber Choir presents two concerts that have become community traditions for the holidays; Messiah, featuring the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, tonight, December 7, at 7:30 pm at The Church of St. John the Divine (2450 River Oaks Blvd.); and Christmas at the Villa, featuring GRAMMY -nominated guitarist and lutenist Richard Savino, Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm at the Chapel of the Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale Ave.).

Messiah

With the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra

Saturday, December 7, 2013 at 7:30 pm

The Church of St. John the Divine (2450 River Oaks Boulevard, Houston, TX 77019)

This season the Houston Chamber Choir presents Messiah in collaboration with the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra. Premiered in April 1742 George Frideric Handel's classic oratorio recounts the entire life of Christ, but it is the Christmas portion that has become a December tradition worldwide. Complementing Messiah this season will be Alessandro Scarlatti's Cantata Pastorale per la Nativita for soprano and strings. Artistic Director Robert Simpson discusses the collaboration with River Oaks Chamber Orchestra; "The Houston Chamber Choir musicians and I always look forward to collaborating with the fabulous River Oaks Chamber Orchestra because we approach music-making with the same enthusiasm and style. We remember why we fell in love with music and we let it show."

Christmas at the Villa

Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

Sunday, December 15, 2013 at 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm

The Chapel of the Villa de Matel (6510 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023)

Christmas at the Villa has become a Houston holiday tradition. The Chapel of the Villa de Matel, built in 1928, is modeled after Northern Italian basilicas and when paired with the voices of the Houston Chamber Choir produces a radiant musical experience. The beauty of the Villa de Matel and the sparkle of fresh carols and beloved favorites combine in a way that has made this program a citywide favorite year after year. This season Houston Chamber Choir welcomes GRAMMY-nominated guitarist and lutenist Richard Savino as the special guest artist. Mr. Savino has appeared frequently with the Houston Chamber Choir and throughout the US and abroad. He is the recipient of a Diapason d'Or (a French Grammy). Matinee performances will feature The Treble Choir of Houston at Christ Church Cathedral, directed by Marianna Parnas-Simpson, composed of children from the greater Houston community.

Tickets for all concerts are $40 and $36 for seniors. For more information on the Houston Chamber Choir, or for ticket sales, visit the Choir web site at www.houstonchamberchoir.org or call (713) 224-5566.

ABOUT THE HOUSTON CHAMBER CHOIR: The Houston Chamber Choir is a professional ensemble dedicated to increasing the awareness, appreciation and esteem of choral music and musicians through performance, outreach and education. Described by Peter Phillips, founder of the Tallis Scholars, as "one of this country's leading ensembles," the Houston Chamber Choir was established in 1995 by Artistic Director Robert Simpson. In April 2012, Houston Chamber Choir made its New York City debut at Trinity Church Wall Street. The Choir continued its tour to Yale University by invitation of the Yale Institute of Sacred Music where it presented a master class and concert in Marquand Chapel. The Chamber Choir is showcased on the world premiere recording of Psalmi ad Vesperas (1694) by Giovanni Paolo Colonna and Ravishingly Russian, a recording of 19th and 20th century Russian secular choral music.

ABOUT RIVER OAKS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: ROCO is a professional chamber orchestra of 40 all-star musicians, distinguished guest conductors and dynamic composers who come together from all over the world to present engaging performances of classical and original compositions. Founded in 2005 by oboist, Alecia Lawyer, ROCO is the most fun you can have with serious music. ROCO is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. www.rocohouston.org

ABOUT RICHARD SAVINO: GRAMMY nominated guitarist/lutenist Richard Savino has been a featured performer throughout the US and abroad. He has been Visiting Artistic Director of the Aston Magna Academy and Music Festival (1993, 1995, 2005, 2009, 2010), the Connecticut Early Music Festival (2002), Ensemble Rebel (2010) and from 1994 - 1997 was Coordinator of Performance Practice at the Monadnock Music Festival in New Hampshire. He is conductor of the group El Mundo, a musical ensemble he founded in 1999. In 2012 El Mundo's recording, Kingdoms of Castille, was nominated for a GRAMMY. He is also the recipient of a Diapason d'Or (a French Grammy) and in 2010 his collaborative project with Ars Lyrica of Houston received a GRAMMY nomination.

Photo by Jeff Grass Photography.

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