The Calvary Festival Choir of 65 voices leads sing-along choruses as daylight streaming through Tiffany glass turns to reflective candlelight.
Audiences will bask in George Frederic Handel‘s inspiring Messiah, surrounded by candlelight and magnificent Tiffany stained-glass masterpieces of the landmark Calvary United Methodist Church in Pittsburgh’s historic Allegheny West. Audience members are invited to sing along to six of Handel’s choruses in the Christmas portion of the chorale work in addition to the closing “Hallelujah.
“We are thrilled to offer our 11th annual program with two performances of Handel’s Messiah this year,” says Calvary’s music director and conductor Brian Burns. “The timeless qualities of Messiah are furthered enhanced by our spirit of community and the family-friendly manner in which we present this choral masterpiece.”
Messiah soloists returning to sing this work at Calvary are Anna Singer, soprano; Kara Cornell, mezzo-soprano; Kirk Dougherty, tenor; and Matthew Hunt, baritone. Read more about these returning featured artists at the Calvary website: Solosit Bios.
Burns conducts the singers and a chamber orchestra comprised of 20 instrumentalists, including strings, brass, and timpani.
Guest organist David Bridge is featured at both the parlor organ and the sanctuary’s historic 1895 Farrand & Votey pipe organ in the choir loft. The organ has been restored from the ground up by Burns, with many significant improvements made continuously since he joined Calvary. Read more on web site.
Calvary’s annual concert weekend is now a regional tradition that draws audiences of music lovers. Each of 10 previous Messiah sing-along concerts has drawn a near-capacity audience since the first Messiah event in 2011.
Food for Northside Food Pantry: Audience members are invited to bring one-pound non-perishable food donations and reusable tote bags for the Northside Food Pantry, an annual community outreach of Calvary UMC.
TICKETS & DETAILS
Messiah concerts on Saturday, December. 16 and Sunday, December 17th, begin at 4 pm, with doors opening at 3:15 pm for audiences to take seats and view the Tiffany windows. Rev. Beth L. Nelson will welcome audience members.
The concert is for all ages; kids 12 and under are admitted at no charge. Children will receive an activity packet about the music, Handel, and Messiah. Tickets are $18 for general admission. Students and seniors 62 and over, $12. Military service members, veterans, and children 12 at no charge online or at the door. A cookie reception for the audience and artists follows in the Victorian Chapel.
Tickets are on sale on the Calvary website, https://calvarypgh.com/music/messiah-choir.php with remaining seats on sale at the door.
For directions and parking details for lots near the church, visit http://www.calvarypgh.com or call 412-231-2007 on weekdays.
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