The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir (TMC), conducted by Noel Edison, will open its 116th concert season on October 24, 2009 with a tale of trial and triumph, Handel’s powerful oratorio Israel in Egypt. The biblical story of the plagues sent by God to the Egyptians and the flight of the Israelites from bondage is dramatically depicted in Handel’s lavish work written in 1738 for soloists, choir and full orchestra.  TMC’s 150-voice performance of Israel in Egypt will be the first choral concert in the superb acoustics and beautiful interior of the Royal Conservatory’s new Koerner Hall.

Noel Edison will conduct the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the Festival Orchestra with noted Canadian soloists Suzie LeBlanc, Soprano; David Trudgen, Countertenor; James McLennan, Tenor; and Thomas Goerz, Bass-Baritone.

The Royal Conservatory’s Koerner Hall opens in September 2009. With seating for 1,135, the concert hall’s design is based on the classical shoe box hall - a tall, rectangular form with a high ceiling and continuous balconies, which are shaped to provide better sightlines. The hall is designed to be a seamless integration of superb acoustics and a distinctive, beautiful interior concept.

The concert will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 7:30 pm in Koerner Hall, Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. West, Toronto.  Pre-concert chat at 6:50 with Rick Phillips, classical music broadcaster and author.

Tickets are available as part of a TMC subscription series or can be purchased as single concert tickets.  TMC Box Office: 416-598-0422 or  www.tmchoir.org.  

This concert is sponsored by Enbridge.