In November and December, Southern Ontario will ring with the perennial glories of Handel's Messiah – big performances, small performances, and of course the sing-along variety. The following is a chronological guide to Messiah concerts taking place in and around Toronto.
Nov 21 3:00: Durham Community Choir. Messiah. Handel. Erin Burda, soprano; Vicki St. Pierre, mezzo; Andrew Haji, tenor; Alexander Dobson, bass; Talisker Players; John-Charles Coolen, director. College Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1164 King St. E., Oshawa. 905-435-4061. $20; $14 (child 12 and under).
Nov 27 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Handel. Ronald Beckett, conductor. Central Presbyterian Church, 7 Queen's Sq., Cambridge. 519-623-1080 $20 $10.
Nov 27 8:00: Achill Choral Society. Messiah. Handel. Stephanie Kramer, soprano; Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo; Mark DuBois, tenor; Daniel Lichti, bass-baritone; A. Dale Wood, conductor; the Valen Ensemble; Shawn Grenke, organist. Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 60 Allan Dr., Bolton. 905-584-6710. $25; $15(children 13 and under).
Nov 28 2:30: Orchestra Kingston. 3rd Annual Sing-Along Messiah. Handel. John Palmer, conductor. Salvation Army Citadel, 816 Centennial Dr., Kingston. 613-389-8110. $15; $12(adv); $10(sr); $8(sr adv). Bring your own score or rent one at the door.
Nov 28 3:00: Eglinton St. George’s United Church. 5th Annual Sing-Along Messiah. Handel. Singers will be invited to join our fabulous soloists for parts of the arias. 35 Lytton Blvd., Toronto. 416-481-1141 x250. $25; $20(sr); $15(st). Please bring a score if possible; a limited number of scores will be available for purchase or to borrow; non-singers welcome. Tickets include open rehearsals on Nov. 13, 20 and 27.
Nov 28 3:00: Mississauga Choral Society. Messiah. Handel. St Patrick's Church, 921 Flagship Dr., Mississauga. 905-278-7059.
Nov 28 7:30: Tryptych. Messiah. Handel. Lenard Whiting, music director; Ian Sadler, organ. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 2717 Bayview Ave., Toronto. 416-763-5066 x3.
Dec 03 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Handel. Ronald Beckett, conductor. Immanuel Orthodox Reformed Church, 2900 4th Ave., Jordan. 905-892-9160 $20.
Dec 03 8:00: Amadeus Choir. The Glory of Christmas. Handel: Messiah. Jennifer Taverner, soprano; Jennifer Enns, mezzo; Patrick Huang, tenor; Giles Tomkins, bass; orchestra; Lydia Adams, conductor; Patricia Wright, organ. Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E., Toronto. 905-880-1889. $55; $50(sr/st).
Dec 04 8:00: Achill Choral Society. Messiah. Handel. Stephanie Kramer, soprano; Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo; Mark DuBois, tenor; Daniel Lichti, bass-baritone; Dale Wood, conductor; the Valen Ensemble; Shawn Grenke, organist. St. Timothy’s Roman Catholic Church, 42 Dawson Rd., Orangeville. 905-584-6710. $25; $15(children 13 and under).
Dec 05 2:30: Kingston Symphony. Hallelujah! Messiah. Handel. Tracy Smith Bessette, soprano; Marion Newman, mezzo; James McLean, tenor; Geoff Sirett, baritone; Kingston Choral Society; Glen Fast, conductor. Kingston Gospel Temple, 2295 Princess St., Kingston. 613-530-2050. $30; $20(sr); $10(st).
Dec 05 4:00: Toronto Classical Singers. Messiah. Handel. Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Sandra Boyes, mezzo; Stephen McClare, tenor; Bruce Kelly, bass; Talisker Players Orchestra, Jurgen Petrenko, conductor. Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St., Toronto. 416-443-1490. $30; $25(sr/st).
Dec 05 4:00: Toronto Classical Singers. Messiah. Handel. Sheila Dietrich, soprano; Sandra Boyes, mezzo; Stephen McClare, tenor; Bruce Kelly, bass; Talisker Players Orchestra, Jurgen Petrenko, conductor. Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St., Toronto. 416-443-1490. $30; $25(sr/st).
Dec 05 7:30: Achill Choral Society. Messiah. Handel. Stephanie Kramer, soprano, Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo; Mark DuBois, tenor; Daniel Lichti, bass-baritone; A. Dale Wood, conductor; the Valen Ensemble; Shawn Grenke, organist. St. James Roman Catholic Church, 2118 Adjala-Tecumseth Townline, Colgan. 905-584-6710. $25; $15(children 13 and under).
Dec 10 7:30: Cellar Singers. Messiah. Handel. Sandra Tucker, soprano; Marion Newman, mezzo; Mark DuBois, tenor; Benjamin Covey, baritone. St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 118 McMurray St., Bracebridge. 705-645-4273. $30; $15(st).
Dec 11 4:00: Church of St. Mary Magdalene. The Children’s Messiah. Handel. Gallery Choir; Pax Christi Chorale; Stephanie Martin, conductor. 477 Manning Ave., Toronto. 416-531-7955. Pwyc.
Dec 11 7:30: Bach Elgar Choir. Messiah. Handel. With orchestra and soloists. Melrose United Church, 86 Homewood Ave., Hamilton. 905-527-5995. $30; $25; $10; free.
Dec 11 7:30: Grand Philharmonic Choir. Messiah. Handel. Meredith Hall, soprano; Allyson McHardy, mezzo-soprano; Michael Colvin, tenor; Stephen Hegedus, bass-baritone; Kitchener Waterloo Symphony; Mark Vuorinen, conductor. Centre In The Square, 101 Queen St. N., Kitchener. 519-578-6885/519-578-1570. $10-$65.
Dec 11 8:00: Aradia Ensemble. The Dublin Messiah. Handel. Original version of 1742. Catherine Rooney, soprano; Marion Newman, alto; Joseph Schnurr, tenor; Sean Watson, bass; Norman Engel, trumpet. Kevin Mallon, artistic director. Glenn Gould Studio, 250 Front St. W., Toronto. 416-872-4255. $35; $20(sr); $15(st).
Dec 11 8:00: Scarborough Philharmonic Orchestra. Howard Cable's Winter Wonderland. Handel: Messiah (excerpts); seasonal favourites for orchestra and choir. Iris Krizmanic, soprano; Toronto Choral Society; Howard Cable, conductor and host; Geoffrey Butler, guest conductor. Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute, 3663 Danforth Ave., Toronto. 416-429-0007. $30; $25; $10.
Dec 12 2:30: Cellar Singers. Messiah. Handel. See Dec 10. St. Paul’s United Church, 62 Peter St. N., Orillia. 705-329-2333. $30; $15(st).
Dec 12 3:00: Chorus Niagara. Messiah. See Dec 11. Calvary Church, 89 Scott St., St. Catharines.
Dec 12 3:00: Elora Festival Singers. Messiah. Handel. Noel Edison, conductor; Festival Chamber Orchestra. Knox Church, 55 Church St. E., Elora. 519-846-0331. $40.
Dec 12 3:00: Scola Cantorum. In Concert. Handel: Messiah (excerpts); Hungarian Christmas carols. Guests: Hungarian Children's Chorus; soloists; Ian Sadler, organ; Imre Olah, conductor. St. Elizabeth RC Church, 432 Sheppard Ave. E. Toronto. 416-971-9754. $15; $10.
Dec 12 7:30: Arcady/National Academy Orchestra. Messiah. Handel. Boris Brott, conductor. Mohawk College McIntyre Theatre, 135 Fennell Ave. W., Hamilton. 1-888-475-9377. $27; $22; $10.
Dec 12 8:00: Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts. Messiah. Handel. Vocal Horizons Chamber Choir; Vincent Cheng, conductor. 10268 Yonge St., Richmond Hill. 905-787-8811. $35; $32(sr/st).
Dec 13 7:30: Arcady/National Academy Orchestra. Messiah. Handel. Boris Brott conductor. Port Nelson United Church, 3132 South Dr., Burlington. 1-888-475-9377. $27; $22; $10.
Dec 15 7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. Christine Brandes, soprano; Daniel Taylor, countertenor; Rufus Muller, tenor; Brett Polegato, baritone. Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre, 427 Bloor St. W., Toronto. 416-964-9562. $85-$22.
Dec 15 7:30: Toronto Choral Society. Messiah. Handel. With the Talisker Players Orchestra, Geoffrey Butler, conductor. Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. Toronto. 416-410-3509. $25; $20(adv).
Dec 16 7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. See Dec 15.
Dec 16 8:00: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir/Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’s Biggest Messiah. Handel. Messiah. Adriana Churchman, soprano; Jill Grove, mezzo; Toby Spence, tenor; John Relyea, bass-baritone; Toronto Mendelssohn Choir; Andrew Davis, conductor. Pre-concert chat with Rick Phillips (Dec.16 only). Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., Toronto. 416-872 4255. $38-$107. Also Dec. 18-21.
Dec 17 7:30: Arcady. A Baroque Messiah. Handel. Ronald Beckett, conductor. Metropolitan United Church, 468 Wellington St., London. 519-672-8800. $20.
Dec 18 7:30: Ardeleana Chamber Music Society. Messiah Singalong. Handel. Blue Bridge Festival Choir and Orchestra. Trinity United Church, 461 Park Ave., Newmarket. 289-470-1099. $20 or Pwyc.
Dec 18 7:30: Oakville Ensemble. Messiah. Handel. Stéphane Potvin, condcutor. St. John's United Church, 262 Randall St., Oakville. 905-825-9740. $35; $25(adv); $25(sr); $15(sr adv); $15(st).
Dec 18 7:30: Tafelmusik. Handel: Messiah. See Dec 15.
Dec 19 2:00: Tafelmusik. Sing-Along Messiah. Christine Brandes, soprano; Daniel Taylor, countertenor; Rufus Muller, tenor; Brett Polegato, baritone. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., Toronto. 416-964-9562. $95-$25.
Dec 19 3:00: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir/Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’s Biggest Messiah. See Dec 16.
Dec 19 7:00: Grand River Chorus. Messiah Singalong. Handel. Heather Plewes, soprano; Richard Cunningham, countertenor/director; Christopher Edwards, tenor; John van Maanen, bass. Heritage United Church, 360 Colborne St., Brantford. 519-770-0478. $25; $20(sr/st); $5(child).
Dec 20 8:00: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir/Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’s Biggest Messiah. See Dec 16.
Dec 20 8:00: Uxbridge Messiah Singers. Handel’s Messiah. Trinity United Church, 20 First Ave., Uxbridge. 905-852-6213. $15 suggested donation.
Dec 21 8:00: Toronto Mendelssohn Choir/Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Toronto’s Biggest Messiah. See Dec 16.
Dec 21 8:00: Uxbridge Messiah Singers. Handel’s Messiah. See Dec 20.
