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Hong Kong Chamber Choir, under the baton of Michael Ryan, will present Handel's "Messiah" (the Dublin version) next month.
There are about 10 existing versions of "Messiah", and the choir will perform the original version presented at the very first performances in Dublin in 1742. This first version has a much more intimate and flexible chorus than many later performances that assumed a distinction between solo and choral forces. It also preserved the intimate but intensely energetic and virtuosic duets used when Handel wrote and directed the first performance.
Conductor and harpsichordist Michael Ryan, sopranos Rosaline Pi and Clara Yip, alto Cindy Wong, counter-tenor Enico Luk, tenor Sam Lau, baritone Alan Tsang, bass Edmund Kwan and organist Wong Kin-Yu will be accompanied by the Hong Kong Chamber Choir and the Hong Kong Soloists to sing this masterpiece.
The Hong Kong Chamber Choir was established in 1999 to promote and perform demanding choral works for small choirs. The choir also believes that a good solo vocalist can be a good ensemble singer so there is great emphasis on vocal (as individual) and choral (as chorister) technique. Consequently many members are also fine solo singers on their own right. Over the years, the choir has received regular sponsorship and support from both the Hong Kong Arts Development Council and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in many of its notable performances that include Schˆ¢tz's "Christmas Story", Handel's oratorio "Alexander's Feast", Faure's "Requiem", Haydn's "The Creation" and Mozart's "Vesperae Solennes de Confessore".
Presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, "Hong Kong Chamber Choir - Handel's Messiah" (sung in English) will be at 8pm on April 11 (Sunday) at the Auditorium, Tsuen Wan Town Hall. Tickets priced at $80, $100 and $120 are now available at URBTIX outlets. Half-price tickets are available for senior citizens aged 60 or above, people with disabilities, full-time students and Comprehensive Social Security Assistance recipients (limited tickets for full-time students and CSSA recipients available on a first-come, first-served basis). A group booking discount is also available. Please refer to programme leaflet for details.
For programme enquiries, call 2268 7321; for ticketing enquiries and reservations, call 2734 9009 (from March 12 onwards); for credit card telephone bookings, call 2111 5999; for Internet bookings, visit www.urbtix.hk ; for more information, visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/cp .
Ends/Thursday, March 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:35
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