Outstanding opera soloists as Vancouver Bach Choir revisits Handel's epic Messiah, December 10

Melody Courage, Marion Newman, Asitha Tennekoon, and Clarence Frazer help bring the resounding work to the Orpheum

Melody Courage

Asitha Tennekoon

 
 

Vancouver Bach Choir performs Handel’s Messiah on December 10 at the Orpheum

 

MEMBERS OF THE Vancouver Opera Orchestra and a compelling lineup of soloists will join Vancouver Bach Choir as it presents Handel’s Messiah this weekend at the Orpheum. Leslie Dala is at the podium for the epic celebration.

Canadian opera stars on the roster are soprano Melody Courage, mezzo Marion Newman, tenor Asitha Tennekoon, and bass-baritone Clarence Frazer.

They’ll add to the full-on experience of witnessing the choral masterpiece live—especially its famous, rousing “Hallelujah” chorus (which you’ve heard pop up pops up everywhere from Bridget Jones’s Diary and Dumb And Dumber). Written more than 250 years ago, the Baroque holiday tradition is simply awe-inspiring.

As you listen to this pinnacle of choral music, try to imagine that Handel is said to have composed Messiah in just 24 days.  

 
 
 
 
 

Related Articles

Articles
Pi Theatre premieres spaghetti western–inspired song cycle Blue Horse Opera, June 13 and 14
Pi Theatre premieres spaghetti western–inspired song cycle Blue Horse Opera, June 13 and 14

Performance stars creator Rick Maddocks alongside flamenco dancer Maria Avila, soprano vocalist Dory Hayley, and talented musicians

World premieres journey through truth and illusion at the Annex, May 31
World premieres journey through truth and illusion at the Annex, May 31

Astrolabe Musik Theatre presents Farshid Samandari’s The Greater Sea and Gheorghi Arnaoudov’s Notes of the Phantom Woman

Star pianist Bruce Liu explores tension between elegance and risk with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Star pianist Bruce Liu explores tension between elegance and risk with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra

Fuelled by curiosity and spontaneity, the acclaimed performer looks beyond the Chopin repertoire that made his name

Russian pianist Mikhail Voskresensky is a rebel with a cause
Russian pianist Mikhail Voskresensky is a rebel with a cause

A guest of the Vancouver Chopin Society, the veteran musician risked it all to stand up against tyranny

More than 60 artists to perform on West 4th Avenue as Khatsahlano Street Party announces 2025 lineup
More than 60 artists to perform on West 4th Avenue as Khatsahlano Street Party announces 2025 lineup

Alt-rock band Meltt, D.O.A. frontman Joe Keithley, and singer-songwriter Ché Aimee Dorval are among the Burrard Stage highlights

Mary Ancheta’s MAQkestra performs the music of Betty Davis at BlueShore at CapU, June 21
Mary Ancheta’s MAQkestra performs the music of Betty Davis at BlueShore at CapU, June 21

Stellar local musicians play seminal, sassy funk in North Shore Jazz presentation as part of Vancouver International Jazz Festival

Toby Thompson's poetry takes jazz-infused solo at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival
Toby Thompson's poetry takes jazz-infused solo at the Vancouver International Children’s Festival

In renowned one-man show I Wish I Was a Mountain, the award-winning British poet leans on rhythm of deep musical influences

BMO Day of Music fills the city with 70 free concerts all day long, May 24
BMO Day of Music fills the city with 70 free concerts all day long, May 24

Wurlitzer organ, Azerbaijani folk music, rousing chorales, and more culminate in a Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performance at the Orpheum

Legendary songs move from screen to stage to create A Whole New World
Legendary songs move from screen to stage to create A Whole New World

Newest production to feature Sound the Alarm’s lineup of seasoned singers mines soundtracks of Disney and Hollywood classics

Emerging artists shine onstage at this year's Cascade Peaks ChamberFest, June 20 to 22
Emerging artists shine onstage at this year's Cascade Peaks ChamberFest, June 20 to 22

Three concerts at RockRidge Canyon resort in Princeton highlight chamber works prepared by the artists during a week-long intensive

Theatre review: Here We Go's fleeting glimpses of mortality are quietly unsettling
Theatre review: Here We Go's fleeting glimpses of mortality are quietly unsettling

In Western Gold Theatre’s spare staging of Caryl Churchill’s taut, wry work, roles rotate across performances with some astonishing results

Kicking off Tremors Festival, Erin James infuses music with her passion for fashion
Kicking off Tremors Festival, Erin James infuses music with her passion for fashion

The violinist’s Fantasy Vignettes interweaves Baroque music, costume changes, and sewing machines

Elektra honours outgoing artistic director Morna Edmundson’s ability to “lead with love”
Elektra honours outgoing artistic director Morna Edmundson’s ability to “lead with love”

All-Canadian program Legacy celebrates spring and rebirth as Cassie Luftspring prepares to take the baton

Tanzanian percussion and indie icons as Vancouver Folk Music Festival unveils 2025 lineup, July 18 to 20
Tanzanian percussion and indie icons as Vancouver Folk Music Festival unveils 2025 lineup, July 18 to 20

The Zawose Queens, The Milk Cartons Kids, and more to hit the Main Stage at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park

Otto Tausk leads the VSO and guest soloists in Beethoven’s Ninth: “Ode to Joy”, June 6 and 7
Otto Tausk leads the VSO and guest soloists in Beethoven’s Ninth: “Ode to Joy”, June 6 and 7

Program also features North American premiere of Danish composer Thomas Agerfeldt Olesen’s Violin Concerto with violinist Simone Lamsma

Vancouver Chamber Choir sings Sonnets by the Sea, June 6
Vancouver Chamber Choir sings Sonnets by the Sea, June 6

Season-closing concert features guest artist Christopher Gaze and a world premiere by composer Thuthuka Sibisi

Vancouver Chopin Society hosts famed Russian pianist Mikhail Voskresensky, May 30
Vancouver Chopin Society hosts famed Russian pianist Mikhail Voskresensky, May 30

Now based in the U.S., artist brings more than 60 years of performance experience and award wins to the stage

Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs closes its season with SummerSing!, May 13
Vancouver Bach Family of Choirs closes its season with SummerSing!, May 13

Beatles songs and Broadway hits are on the program featuring performers of all ages

With the VSO’s Coastal Soundscapes, Naomi Woo brings a study in contrasts to the Annex
With the VSO’s Coastal Soundscapes, Naomi Woo brings a study in contrasts to the Annex

In the latest installment of the VSO at the Annex series, the conductor and pianist hopes the eclectic program will take some of the intimidation factor out of new music

Bruce Liu joins the VSO for Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto, May 30 to June 1
Bruce Liu joins the VSO for Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto, May 30 to June 1

Paris-born, Montreal-raised pianist won the 2021 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw

Toronto’s SlowPitchSound tells stories through his sci-fi turntablism
Toronto’s SlowPitchSound tells stories through his sci-fi turntablism

At Vancouver New Music, Cheldon Paterson’s uncategorizable music fuses his love for nature with his taste for obscure sound

Pianist Avery Gagliano plays a Vancouver Chopin Society recital, May 18
Pianist Avery Gagliano plays a Vancouver Chopin Society recital, May 18

Compelling young artist has performed worldwide and won prizes at the National Chopin Piano Competition

Mary Ancheta’s MAQkestra, Mick Flannery, and more perform at North Shore Jazz, June 20 to 29
Mary Ancheta’s MAQkestra, Mick Flannery, and more perform at North Shore Jazz, June 20 to 29

Genre-spanning international and local talents take to North Shore venues in BlueShore at CapU and Vancouver International Jazz Festival presentation

Fresh Ink fetes five years of Vancouver Chamber Choir commissions and premieres, May 9
Fresh Ink fetes five years of Vancouver Chamber Choir commissions and premieres, May 9

Program includes an Emily Carr–inspired piece by Tawnie Olson, a composition about a satellite falling out of orbit by Chris Sivak, and more

Stir Q&A: At DOXA, Baljit Sangra throws a spotlight on an undersung Canadian jazz songstress
Stir Q&A: At DOXA, Baljit Sangra throws a spotlight on an undersung Canadian jazz songstress

In Have You Heard Judi Singh?, Vancouver director interweaves archival footage, re-created moments, and mesmerizing music in tribute to late Punjabi-Black artist

Music review: A poignant and resonant Madama Butterfly to close Vancouver Opera season
Music review: A poignant and resonant Madama Butterfly to close Vancouver Opera season

Set in the aftermath of World War II, updated production adds depth and nuance to the iconic work

Vancouver International Jazz Festival unveils full Granville Island Jazz programming
Vancouver International Jazz Festival unveils full Granville Island Jazz programming

Another 30 concerts will take place at Performance Works, Ocean Artworks, and the Revue Stage from June 20 to July 1

Jane Siberry to Gnawa rock: Vancouver Folk Music Festival announces program
Jane Siberry to Gnawa rock: Vancouver Folk Music Festival announces program

Tanzania’s Zawose Queens and Congo’s Les Mamans du Congo x Rrobin rub shoulders with Canadian names like Elisapie and Ocie Elliott at ʔəy̓alməxʷ Jericho Beach Park, July 18 to 20

Vancouver Cantata Singers honour special moments in choir's history with Reflection, May 3
Vancouver Cantata Singers honour special moments in choir's history with Reflection, May 3

At Pacific Spirit United Church, program draws on previously performed works by Bach, Mahler, and more

In Grand Finale Viennois, violinist Joan Blackman explores connections between historical composers
In Grand Finale Viennois, violinist Joan Blackman explores connections between historical composers

Vetta Chamber Music’s artistic director is joined by talented colleagues for a season-closing program of Haydn, Mozart, and Schubert

MUSIC, OPERA, HOLIDAY22Janet SmithVancouver Bach Choir, Holiday 2022