ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The soaring sounds of Handel’s Israel in Egypt will fill Albuquerque’s First United Methodist Church as the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and Orchestra presents this choral tour de force at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 1.
New Mexico audience favorites mezzo-soprano Jacqueline Zander-Wall, sopranos Jenna Kloeppel and Elizabeth Wenrich, tenor Eric Parker and basses Paul Bower and Stephen Lewis will be featured soloists in this final concert of the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus’ 2015-16 season.
“The celebrated Israel in Egypt is often called Handel’s second most popular oratorio after his Messiah,” said Roger Melone, Chorus music director. “This pure and powerful Handel sung by our masterful musicians will be a thrill to hear, especially with the acoustics and atmosphere of the First United Methodist Church.”
Concert: Israel in Egypt
George Frideric Handel’s Israel in Egypt
Who: New Mexico Symphonic Chorus with full orchestra, conducted by Roger Melone
Jenna Kloeppel, soprano
Elizabeth Wenrich, soprano
Jacqueline Zander-Wall, mezzo-soprano
Eric Parker, tenor
Paul Bower, bass
Stephen Lewis, bass
When/Where: Sunday, May 1, 3 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, in downtown Albuquerque with ample, convenient, free parking nearby – 314 Lead Ave. SW (Lead and 4th St.)
Ticket Info: Tickets at $25 for regular and $45 for premium general admission at nmschorus.org and from Brown Paper Tickets, open 24 hours a day, at
Student tickets with valid ID at $15.
Discount of 20 percent for groups of 15 or more.
ABOUT THE MUSIC
Israel in Egypt by George Frideric Handel (born 1685 in Germany; died 1759 in London) premiered in 1739 in London. The text is from the Old Testament, mainly the books of Exodus and Psalms. The biblical oratorio extends from the beginning of the Israelites’ bondage in Egypt through the plagues that Moses calls down upon the Egyptians, the parting of the Red Sea, victory over the Egyptian Army and finally, the Israelites’ acknowledgement of the power of their God. This powerful oratorio preceded Handel’s most well-known oratorio, Messiah, by three years.
ABOUT THE NEW MEXICO SYMPHONIC CHORUS
The more than 60 members of the New Mexico Symphonic Chorus and Music Director Roger Melone perform with the highest levels of artistic excellence and enjoyment to appreciative New Mexico audiences. Under the direction of Melone since 1983, the Chorus in 2015-16 is in its 43rd season as an ensemble and its fifth season as a stand-alone organization, preserving the tradition of a chorus that has gained a national reputation. Local artistic collaborations include Verdi’s “Aida” in fall 2015 and Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers” in 2014 with Opera Southwest; Holiday Festival of Voices at Popejoy Hall in 2013 and 2014 with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program; Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” with the New Mexico Philharmonic in 2012. Accolades include multiple invitations to the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival to perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Rochester (N.Y.) Philharmonic. For more information, visit NMSChorus.org.