Rare Performance of Handel's Complete Messiah to Be Held April 27

Central Washington University's renowned Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra will combine to present Handel's Messiah, one of the best-known and best-beloved works in the history of music.

The concert will be held at 4:00 p.m. on April 27, in the McIntyre Music Building Concert Hall. Tickets are available online at www.cwu.edu/music/event-tickets. General admission tickets are $15 and $8 for seniors, children* and CWU students with ID.

The nearly three-hour oratorio will be presented in its entirety with all solos performed by singers in the CWU Chamber Choir. Gary Weidenaar, director of Choral Studies, will conduct and Nikolas Caoile, director of Orchestral Activities, will play harpsichord.

“This a huge and somewhat unique undertaking,” said Weidenaar. “Of the thousands of Messiah concerts every year, not many undertake the complete oratorio. And even fewer have all the soloists emerging from the performing ensemble.”

First performed in April of 1742, the Messiah was conducted by Handel more than 15 times before he passed away in 1759. The oratorio has since been performed countless times around the world. The “Hallelujah” chorus alone has been recorded more times than almost any other classical piece, and lately its enduring popularity is inspiring flash mobs around the world.

*This concert is not recommended for small children.

Media Contact: Valerie Chapman-Stockwell, Public Affairs, 509-963-1518, valeriec@cwu.edu