HU Concert Choir To Perform Handel’s Messiah with Santa Fe Symphony Nov. 13 in Ilfeld
The New Mexico Highlands University Concert Choir will perform Handel’s Messiah with the Santa Fe Symphony Orchestra Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. in the university’s historic Ilfeld auditorium, 900 University Ave.
George Frederic Handel composed Messiah in 1741 and it became one of the best known and frequently performed choral works in the history of Western music.
Charles Jennens compiled the scripture for Messiah‘s libretto from the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible.
World-renowned Santa Fe Symphony guest conductor Catherine Sailer will conduct the symphony for the Messiah. Andre Garcia-Nuthmann, the university’s choral director, will direct the concert choir.
Lydia Madrick of the Santa Fe Symphony will accompany on harpsichord. Noted guest vocal soloists for the symphony include Cecilia Leitner, soprano, and Deneile Gordon, alto.
Vocal soloists from Highlands include music graduate Carlos Archuleta, bass, and Garcia-Nuthmann, tenor.
The 60-member Highlands University Concert Choir is composed of Highlands University students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the Las Vegas community.
“This concert will contain all the drama, contemplation and joyful aspects of Handel’s Messiah,” said Greg Heltman, founder of the Santa Fe Symphony and its general director. “The music is rich and powerful, and as relevant to modern audiences as when it was first performed in the 18th century.”
Heltman said the Santa Fe Symphony has a long history of collaborating with the Highlands University Department of Music and Garcia-Nuthmann.
“The university’s concert choir is a well trained and disciplined musical ensemble, and their artistic quality is very high,” Heltman said. “One reason the symphony greatly enjoys performing in Las Vegas with the Highlands concert choir is that it always gives 100 percent. The choir reflects Andre’s passion for music, and he’s a terrific director.”
Heltman also plays French horn in the Santa Fe Symphony and his wife, Elaine Heltman, is the principal oboe.
“This Handel’s Messiah concert gives my students an amazing opportunity to perform the profound work of a timeless master with a symphony orchestra,” Garcia-Nuthmann said.
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color:black;’>Tickets are $10 for the general public, and $5 for Highlands University faculty, staff and seniors 65 and older. All Highlands University students with ID are free, along with other students with school ID.
color:black;’>Tickets are $10 for the general public, and $5 for Highlands University faculty, staff and seniors 65 and older. All Highlands University students with ID are free, along with other students with school ID.