Handel and Haydn Society to Open 2013-14 Season with MASS IN B MINOR, 9/27-29

The Handel and Haydn Society (H&H), led by Artistic Director Harry Christophers, opens the 2013-2014 season on September 27 and 29 with performances of J.S. Bach's choral masterpiece, Mass in B Minor. The 2013-2014 Season is marked by historically significant works that the Handel and Haydn Society introduced to American audiences in the 19th century, presented in anticipation of the H&H's Bicentennial celebration in 2015. Repertoire on the season is also intended to reveal the outstanding range of H&H's musical forces, from the youngest performers to the renowned professional chorus and period-instrument orchestra. A collection of prominent conductors and guest artists joins Handel and Haydn throughout the season.

Christophers promises the season opener will be "a concert to reach every range of emotion and expression." Considered one of the most iconic works in all classical music, Bach's Mass in B Minor is a fitting introduction to the new season by dramatically showcasing the acclaimed Handel and Haydn Society Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus. Calling for large performing forces and featuring soloists from the H&H chorus, the elaborate mass will demonstrate "the dazzling vocal exuberance of our chorus," says Christophers.

A late work from Bach's canon, the Mass in B Minor is believed to have been the composer's apotheosis of sacred music, composed not for a specific church mass, but instead as a statement for posterity. Bach composed the mass over nearly 15 years, combining new writing with selections culled from his previous compositions. Sadly, he would never know how the work into which he had poured his creative genius was received, as it was never performed in his lifetime; the first performance in entirety took place in 1859. Handel and Haydn Society first performed the mass in 1887. (See p. 3 for concert details.)

Highlights of the Handel and Haydn Society 2013-2014 season also include H&H's 160th annual performances of Handel Messiah (November 29­­-December 1). H&H has an esteemed legacy with this cherished work that is unrivalled by any other group in the United States: it gave the American premiere of Messiah in Boston in 1818, and has been performing it regularly ever since. Harry Christophers brings his renowned choral expertise to uncover new layers of the masterpiece, and will be joined by an entirely North American cast of soloists, including soprano GillIan Keith, countertenor Daniel Taylor, tenor Tom Randle, and baritone Sumner Thompson.

Two cornerstone programs of the 2013-2014 subscription season take place in February and May. On Feb. 21 and 23, Handel and Haydn Society brings together the full array of its musical forces in an extraordinary performance of Vivaldi's most popular and widely known sacred work, Gloria. Harry Christophers conducts H&H's Period Instrument Orchestra and Chorus, who will be joined by members of H&H's Vocal Apprenticeship Program Young Women's and Young Men's Chorus. Soprano Nathalie Paulin is guest soloist. The program closes with Handel's inspiring Foundling Hospital Anthem, which the composer concluded with the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Messiah.

The subscription season culminates in May with performances of a work that has an important place in Handel and Haydn Society's history, Handel's oratorio Samson. H&H is pleased to return this important work to its repertoire: it gave the American premiere of the masterpiece in 1845, but has not performed it since 1893. Harry Christophers will lead the H&H orchestra and chorus in performances May 2 and 4 with soloists Joshua Ellicott, tenor, in the title role; Joélle Harvey, soprano (Dalila); Catherine Wyn-Rogers, mezzo-soprano (Micah); Matthew Brook, bass-baritone (Manoah); and Dashon Burton, bass-baritone (Harapha).

Based on the biblical story, Samson features an epic score comprising some of Handel's most famous arias, and was an immediate success from its first performance in 1742. Notably, Handel composed the oratorio within a month after completing Messiah. Christophers, one of the world's most respected interpreters of Handel, marvels at the composer's output and delights in the opportunity to juxtapose the works: "Two masterpieces in quick succession is some feat, and I look forward to performing them both in one season."

On November 1 and 3, Grant Llewellyn, former H&H Music Director and a Boston favorite, returns to the H&H stage for the first time since 2008 to lead the Period Instrument Orchestra in Beethoven's Symphony No. 2 and Mozart's Haffner Symphony. Scott Metcalfe, Music Director of the Renaissance vocal ensemble Blue Heron, makes his H&H debut leading A Bach Christmas on December 19 and 22 in Jordan Hall. This festive program features Bach's Cantata 62, composed for the first Sunday of Advent, and other music from the 17th century German tradition. Richard Egarr, whom H&H welcomes back to continue a multiple season exploration of Beethoven's symphonies, conducts a program on January 24 and 26, featuring Symphony No. 4. Young trumpet phenomenon Alison Balsommakes her H&H debut in this program, performing Haydn's groundbreaking Trumpet Concerto on a keyed trumpet, the instrument for which the concerto was composed.

Following the end of its subscription season in May, the Handel and Haydn Society performs with Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) for the first time since 1996. The Celebrity Series of Boston presents H&H and MMDG in Morris's new, fully staged production of Mozart's arrangement of the Handel opera Acis & Galatea. A star trio including fashion icon and costume designer Isaac Mizrahi, celebrated visual artist and scenic designer Adrianne Lobel, and acclaimed lighting designer Michael Chybowski will set the stage for this epic tale. Four performances, conducted by Nicholas McGegan, Music Director of Philharmonia Baroque, take place at the Citi Performing Arts Center Shubert Theatre May 15-18 (see p. 5 for details).

Haydn, Vol. 1, a recording of H&H's February 2013 Haydn in Paris performance will be released on the CORO label on September 10, 2013. Recorded live at Symphony Hall, the CD features concertmaster Aisslinn Nosky performing Haydn's Violin Concerto in G Major paired with Haydn's Symphony No. 6 and Symphony No. 82. In October, H&H will release An American Christmas, a collection of a cappella holiday favorites and traditional carols sung by H&H's chorus under the direction of Harry Christophers. The CDs will expand H&H's catalogue of recordings, joining the recently completed Mozart trilogy recorded with Harry Christophers: Mass in C Minor (September 2010), Requiem (September 2011), and Coronation Mass (September 2012).

Tickets to Bach Mass in BMinor, along with other subscription concerts, are on sale at the Handel and Haydn Box Office by phone at 617 266 3605, online at www.handelandhaydn.org or in person at Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston (M-F 10am-6pm). Subscriptions to the 2013-2014 season are still available. Options include nine- and six-concert series and an H2 Young Professionals package, as well as "Choose Your Own" packages.

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