WINNIPEG, MB. – The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) will once again illuminate the Christmas season with their annual performance of Handel’s Messiah. This year’s concert will mark the Classic Series debut of WSO Resident Conductor Julian Pellicano, Dec 15-16, at the Centennial Concert Hall.

Both evenings feature a glowing cast of talented, local soloists including soprano Jane Fingler, tenor Peter John Buchan, countertenor Daniel Peasgood, and baritone of Kris Kornelsen. All well known in the Winnipeg music scene, they have performed with many of the city’s foremost ensembles. The soloists will be elevated by an all-local WSO Chorus, under the dynamic direction of John Wiens.

“It’s so incredibly festive,” Wiens said when asked why Messiah fits so well into Christmas. “It was written for a special occasion and Christmas is one of the biggest special occasions.”

Known as the most celebrated oratorio of all time, no work in the history of music transmits the urge to want to sing more than Handel’s Messiah. The ongoing flow of beautiful arias, ensembles and magnificent choruses have made Messiah the only major Baroque work that has an unbroken performance tradition from the time of its creation to the present day.

Rumour has it that Handel confined himself to his room for just over three weeks to complete the piece. It is reported that when Handel’s assistant called to him he did not answer, so, after several minutes the worried assistant entered the room and found Handel in tears. Holding up the score to the Hallelujah Chorus, Handel said, “I thought I saw the face of God.”

Julian Pellicano, in his fifth season as the resident conductor at the WSO, is delighted to be conducting such an iconic piece, in his first Classic Series performance.

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Photo – wso.ca