VERO BEACH – One of the world’s greatest oratorios will be presented on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16 and 17, by the First Baptist Church of Vero Beach as an annual Christmas gift to the Treasure Coast community.
Directed by the church’s Minister of Music and Worship, Dr. Michael Carter, “Messiah” will be performed by four professional soloists, instrumentalists of the Messiah Chamber Orchestra and a 100-voice chorus consisting of the church’s sanctuary choir, other local choir members and singers of the Treasure Coast Chorale. Both evenings are free with open seating.
“Messiah,” written by Handel in 1741, tells the inspirational story of the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ in aria, recitative and chorus.
It begins with the “Overture” of simple beauty, followed by a magnificent tenor solo and the famous chorus “And the Glory of the Lord.” “For onto us a Child is Born” celebrates the Christmas birth while the classic “Hallelulah” chorus depicts victory over death. Finally, the soloists and choir combine to sing the soaring “Amen”.
Professional soloists will be soprano Rebecca Holbrook-Loar, mezzo-soprano Jane Christeson, tenor Norton Christeson, and bass David Stork. Ms. Loar is a native of Vero Beach, now on the faculties of Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida. Additional performing artists include Brady Johnson on the harpsichord and Jill Truax on the organ.
The performances will be held at the First Baptist Church, 2206 16th Ave., Vero Beach, on Saturday, Dec. 16, and Sunday, Dec. 17, beginning at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early as a full sanctuary is expected.
Although there is no charge to attend, a free-will offering will be taken to help defray some of the expenses of this glorious, inspirational concert.
Members of the audience will be invited to join the singers for the traditional “Hallelujah Chorus.”
For more information on the concert, please call the church at 772-567-4341 or go to www.fbcvero.org or www.treasurecoastchorale.org.
