FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2014
PRINCETON PRO MUSICA AND VOICES JOIN FORCES TO PRESENT
2014 HANDEL FESTIVAL
Two concerts, two symposia, two workshops presented by two great choruses
February 7, 2014–Princeton Pro Musica and VOICES are joining forces to present the 2014 Handel Festival. The six events in the Festival are anchored in the Handel oratorios that each group is performing this spring. On March 23, VOICES presents “Samson,” and on May 11, Princeton Pro Musica presents “Israel in Egypt.” Each concert will be highlighted by a symposium at the Princeton Public Library. “We live in such a culturally rich area, with all levels of singers and instrumentalists. I’m so happy that VOICES and Pro Musica can collaborate on six events that add to that richness,” says Dr. Lyn Ransom, VOICES Founder and Music Director.
The first event in the Festival will be two half-day workshops being presented on March 1. Singers who are interested in learning how to sing Handel with greater ease are invited to attend either or both sessions. A morning workshop will focus on singing Handel choruses and the afternoon session will be on singing Handel solos. According to Dr. Ryan Brandau, Princeton Pro Musica’s Artistic Director, workshop participants have much to look forward to. “I’ve seen each of our distinguished clinicians in action before, and I know our participants will be treated to a feast of helpful information and strategies for improvement,” he says.
Detailed information, workshop registration, and ticket sales can be found on the websites of the two organizations: www.PrincetonProMusica.org or www.VOICESChorale.org.
SINGING HANDEL WORKSHOPS: SATURDAY, MARCH 1 (AT MUSIC TOGETHER, HOPEWELL, NJ)
Singers are invited to join experts from the local university community as well as professional staff of the Princeton Pro Musica and VOICES, for tips and tricks for singing Handel’s works in community and church choruses and choirs.
Morning Workshop for Choral Singers: Singing Handel Choruses, 9:30 AM–12:45 PM
A workshop designed for adult and high school singers, with clinicians from Westminster Choir College, Ryan Brandau from Princeton Pro Musica, and Lyn Ransom from VOICES. Come learn the tricks of the trade for singing those 16th note runs in Messiah! Fees: $15 individual; $5 students. Choirs may attend together for $100 per 10 singers.
Afternoon Workshop for Amateur Soloists: Singing Handel Solos, 1:30 PM–4:45 PM
This workshop is for amateur singers interested in singing Handel solos. Come learn the essentials from clinicians Martha Elliott from Princeton University (author of Singing in Style) and Judith Nicosia from Rutgers University. Fees: $25 individual; $5 students.
To register, please go online to: https://princetonpromusica.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0Si0000002NvUYEA0
PRE-CONCERT SYMPOSIA AT THE PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Before each Handel Festival concert, a FREE lecture on the piece and its context will be presented at the Princeton Public Library (65 Witherspoon Street in downtown Princeton). Experts from both VOICES Chorale and the Princeton Pro Musica will be joined by professors from Princeton University and Westminster Choir College. Together, they will provide insights that are sure to enhance attendance at each concert.
March 6, 7 PM: Milton’s Samson Agonistes and Handel’s Samson
Dr. Nigel Smith and Dr. Wendy Heller, both from Princeton University, and Dr. Lyn Ransom from VOICES discuss Milton’s play, Newburgh Hamilton’s libretto, and Handel’s music in preparation for VOICES’ March 23performance of Handel’s Samson. Tenor David Kellett, performing the role of Samson on March 23, will share selected arias during the event.
AprIL 28: Handel’s Israel in Egypt
Dr. Wendy Heller, Professor of Music at Princeton University, Dr. Andrew Megill, conductor of Fuma Sacra and the Montreal Symphony Chorus and a professor at Westminster Choir College, and Joyce Irwin, a Handel scholar and singer with Princeton Pro Musica, will consider the work’s exciting music, unusual libretto, and unique design in order to understand its special place in the history of Handel’s oratorios.
HANDEL CONCERTS
Each chorus will present a Handel oratorio as part of their season this spring. For ticket sales, please visit each organization’s respective website.
March 23: VOICES presents Handel’s Samson
3:00 PM, St. James Church, Pennington, NJ
Witness the war between the Philistines and the Israelites, Dalila’s deception, Samson’s struggle to accept his blindness and weakness, and the strength of a father’s love. This work, composed in 1743, just after Messiah,is full of outstanding instrumental writing, exciting choruses, and moving arias. A demonstration of instruments similar to those used in Handel’s time will take place at 2:30, prior to the concert.
May 11: Pro Musica presents Handel’s “Israel in Egypt”
3:00 PM, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton, NJ
The PPM Chorus and Orchestra close the season in grand Baroque style with a performance of Handel’s colossal oratorio Israel in Egypt (1736), with double chorus, period-instrument orchestra and soloists. Israel in Egypt has endeared itself to skilled choirs with its use of vivid tone-painting and dynamic rhythms to evoke the plagues and other details, from jumping frogs to whirring flies, pounding hail and swelling waves. Rounding out the program is Handel’s Concerto Grosso in G Major for orchestra and instrumental soloists.
For tickets and more information, please visit:
Princeton Pro Musica Contact: Mary Trigg
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Voices Contact: Carole Moore
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