PEORIA, IL – The Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is pleased to announce the HANDEL’S MESSIAH concert on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 7:30 PM at Grace Presbyterian Church located on Route 91in Peoria, IL. Known by many as a musical rite of the holidays, HANDEL’S MESSIAH is full of passion, drama, and beauty. Featuring the “Hallelujah” chorus, it is one of the most beloved choral works ever written.
The Peoria Symphony Orchestra will perform with THE APOLLO CHORUS OF CHICAGO, featuring over 120 auditioned members, including men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations brought together by their abiding love of music. Founded in 1872, it is one of the oldest volunteer choral societies in the United States and the oldest musical organization in Chicago, IL. The Apollo Chorus of Chicago has produced HANDEL’S MESSIAH every December since 1879. This is the first time that the chorus is touring outside of Chicago.
The concert will feature JOSEFIEN STOPPELENBURG, soprano, who has been called “an astonishing singer” by the Chicago Tribune and has performed as a soloist in Europe, the United States, Asia, South America, and the Arab Emirates; LINDSAY METZGER, mezzo soprano, who has been noted for her “easy stage manner and refined voice” by the Chicago Classical Review, and was the recipient of the Best Vocal Prize from the American Opera Society; Peoria native ALEX MANSOORI, tenor, whose varied repertoire runs the gamut from Handel and Mozart to Bernstein and Sondheim, and has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York’s famed Rainbow Room, and The New York Philharmonic; and EVAN BOYER, bass, who has performed with some of the country’s most prominent operatic and orchestral organizations, including the Canadian Opera Company, LA Opera, Seattle Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Palm Beach Opera, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia, and the Houston Symphony.
Regarding this performance, Maestro George Stelluto says:
“Händel’s Messiah falls upon our ears as if heaven sent. Performed during the Christmas and Easter seasons for over 275 years, this musical manna has no expiration date. It’s as vibrant and inspiring as the day it was premiered.”
An optional pre-concert lecture begins at 6:30 PM. The Peoria Symphony Guild will be providing cookies and coffee during intermission. Patrons are also invited to join the Maestro, musicians, and other concert-goers at a P.S. Party following the concert at Suite Fire Bar and Grille, located at 7601 N Orange Prairie Rd., Peoria.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH is sponsored by the Peoria Symphony Guild and Meredith Foundation; this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Additional support of the 121st Symphony Season is provided by PNC.
Tickets for HANDEL’S MESSIAH start at $25 and student tickets are $10. Tickets are available by calling 309.671.1096, visiting the PSO Box Office located at 101 State Street, Peoria, IL or online at peoriasymphony.org.
# # #
Founded in 1897, the Peoria Symphony Orchestra (PSO) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire through music. The PSO presents excellent live musical performances, innovative music education programs, and engaging community outreach efforts, which significantly impact the cultural and economic vitality of Central Illinois.
If you would like more information or higher resolution photographs, please contact:
Mae Gilliland Wright, PhD
Director of Marketing and Communications
309.671.1096
[email protected]