Countdown to Tafelmusik's Sing-Along Messiah At Massey Hall, Today

On Sunday, December 17 at 2 PM, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir presents its wildly popular Sing-Along Messiah, Toronto's largest sing-along classical Christmas concert. This unique and beloved audience participation event at Massey Hall is led by George Frideric Handel himself, aka Tafelmusik Chamber Choir director Ivars Taurins - in character and meticulously dressed in full baroque costume and powdered wig. Tafelmusik's Sing-Along Messiah is a joyous and profoundly moving experience in the spirit of Handel's own productions. Performed by the orchestra on period instruments and sung by a choir of 23 professional singers specializing in 17th- and 18th-century music, Tafelmusik's performance "radiates brilliance and energy, along with an emotional depth that fully enhances the work's expression" (AllMusic).

Every year, 2,700 audience members fill Massey Hall, and with scores in hand, raise their voices together with those of the choir and soloists. Many families and groups of friends have made Tafelmusik's Sing-Along Messiah a Yuletide ritual, and leave the concert hall feeling joyful and uplifted. "Tafelmusik, Handel, and the whole audience joined forces to remind me of the real joy that comes out of the music and the message" (Schmopera).

A live-performance DVD of Sing-Along Messiah was released on the Tafelmusik Media label in 2012, and is broadcast regularly on the Bravo!, CTV, and WNED television networks.

For those who prefer Handel's original Messiah sans audience participation, Tafelmusik presents four performances directed by Ivars Taurins at Koerner Hall on December 13, 14, 15, and 16 at 7:30 PM.

ABOUT TAFELMUSIK

Led by Music Director Elisa Citterio, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir is one of the world's leading period ensembles and Canada's most-toured orchestra. Tafelmusik engages Toronto audiences with an annual season of more than 80 concerts in diverse venues across the city, as well as national and international audiences through an extensive schedule of tours and critically acclaimed recordings. The Tafelmusik Chamber Choir, under the direction of Ivars Taurins, was formed in 1981 to complement the Orchestra. Tafelmusik also seeks to transport audiences to the baroque and classical periods through adventurous cross-cultural collaborations, on stage with Toronto's Opera Atelier, and underground at its new Haus Musik series. The orchestra's musicians share their knowledge and experience through artist training initiatives such as the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer and Winter Institutes. Tafelmusik's catalogue of award-winning recordings on the SONY, CBC Records, Analekta, and Tafelmusik Media labels have garnered nine JUNO Awards and numerous other recording prizes. Jeanne Lamon continues her association with Tafelmusik as Music Director Emerita.

2017/18 SEASON PARTNERS

Tafelmusik wishes to thank the following for their generous support: BMO Financial Group, TD Bank Group, RBC Foundation, Hal Jackman Foundation, KPMG, Great West Life, London Life, Canada Life, McLean Foundation, Blakes LLP, iA Securities, Stikeman Elliott LLP, Margaret and John Catto, Margaret and Jim Fleck, Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Toronto Arts Council, Classical 96.3 FM, and NOW Magazine. Tafelmusik is a proud partner of the Bloor St. Culture Corridor.