{"id":64889,"date":"2019-11-19T13:19:59","date_gmt":"2019-11-19T18:19:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=64889"},"modified":"2019-11-19T13:33:02","modified_gmt":"2019-11-19T18:33:02","slug":"primer-great-gig-messiah-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2019\/11\/19\/primer-great-gig-messiah-list\/","title":{"rendered":"PRIMER | The Great Gig Messiah List"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your guide to Handel\u2019s Messiah in Toronto and the GTA for holiday season 2019.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Your
Your guide to Handel\u2019s Messiah in Toronto and the GTA for holiday season 2019.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

T<\/span>he holiday spirit returns with the familiar chorus of Halleluijah ringing in the air. In this well-loved chorus, the word Halleluijah is repeated 167 times, and it remains massively popular<\/a><\/span>, still generating countless memes and widely varied performances. For Toronto and GTA, there is an abundance of performances of Messiah to choose from, and here\u2019s the 2019 list of Handel\u2019s greatest hit: Messiah.<\/em><\/p>\n

Iconic Toronto Messiah with Tafelmusik and TSO<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Tafelmusik and TSO perennially draw the biggest crowds for the holiday Messiah<\/em>, and with four performances each, it\u2019s bound to fit into your crazy holiday schedule. With their central downtown locations, there\u2019s not even a need to worry about driving and parking. The blockbuster YYZ productions of Messiah<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir<\/strong>
\n Dec. 17, 18, 19, 20, 2019, 7:30 p.m.<\/strong>
\nIvars Taurins conducts Messiah with the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir<\/a><\/span> in the beautiful Koerner hall, with soloists Margot Rood, Lucile Richardot, Thomas Hobbs and Peter Harvey. TM\u2019s dedication to historical performance really shines, especially with their text delivery, making this production a great opportunity to compare your Messiah<\/em> soundscape. For each performance, audiences are welcomed to join in for a free pre-concert chat with Ann Monoyios. Details are available online<\/a><\/span> and at the Koerner Hall Box Office (416-408-0208).<\/p>\n

Toronto Symphony Orchestra with Toronto Mendelssohn Choir<\/strong>
\n Dec. 17, 18, 20, 21 (8 p.m.), 22 (3 p.m.) 2019<\/strong>
\nAlexander Shelly from National Arts Centre Orchestra, conducts Handel\u2019s Messiah<\/em> with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. This year, TSO features familiar and beloved soloists Jane Archibald<\/a><\/span>, Emily D\u2019Angelo<\/a>,<\/span> Isaiah Bell<\/span><\/a> and Russell Braun<\/a><\/span>. Tickets are available online<\/a>,<\/span> and at the RTH box office.<\/p>\n

Children\u2019s Messiah<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pax Christi Chorale\u2019s Children\u2019s Messiah<\/strong>
\n Nov. 30, 2019, 4-5 p.m.<\/strong>
\nShort and sweet, bring the young ones and there will be no need to keep them silenced in this child-centered presentation. With additional sing-along carols and live orchestra, the little ones will have plenty to explore. Accessible to all groups, with pay-what-you-can at the door at the Church of the Redeemer; details here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"Soundstreams
Soundstreams Electric Messiah (Photo courtesy of soundstreams.ca)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Messiah Updated:<\/h3>\n

Soundstreams: Electric Messiah<\/strong>
\n Dec. 10-12, 2019, 8 p.m.<\/strong>
\nContrary to the popular concepts of Messiah<\/em>: Tradition, Zeitgeist and Resurrection, Soundstreams ask a different question: could Messiah<\/em> stay relevant to our times, even with 101,402 days and nights between its premiere and the opening night of SS\u2019 annual Electric Messiah<\/em>? Find out on 10-12 December 2019, set in the chill of the Drake Underground. This year\u2019s cast includes: Lindsay McIntyre, Chloe Charles, Jonathan MacArthur, Andrew Adridge, SlowPitchSound (DJ) and Lybido (Dancer). Details here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Classic, Traditional Messiah in Toronto Area<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Tradition grounds us, and what better way to celebrate the magic of Christmas than a live performance of the Messiah<\/em>? It\u2019s an embarrassment of riches here in Toronto for Messiah<\/em> performances, so browse slowly and take your choice pick. So many different settings and groups. So little time.<\/p>\n

Toronto Choral Society: Messiah and Carols \u2014 A Christmas Celebration<\/strong>
\n Dec. 6, 2019, 7:30 p.m.<\/strong>
\nOne of the oldest choral societies in Canada \u2014 founded in 1845, Toronto Choral Society was the first group to present the Messiah<\/em> in Toronto in 1872. Director Geoffrey Butler continues this tradition with a 150-voice choir and the Talisker Players, interspersing fav ourite carols with Messiah<\/em> at the lovely Koerner Hall. Details here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toronto Classical Singers and Talisker Players<\/strong>
\n Dec. 8, 2019, 4 p.m.<\/strong>
\nA midtown event at the Christ Church Deer Park. Jurgen Petrenko and TCS<\/a> <\/span>have been singing for past 28 years in Toronto, and with the expertise of Talisker Players, this event is a strong choice for an afternoon Messiah<\/em> concert. Details here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Elmer Isler Singers and Amadeus Choir: Glorious Sounds of Handel: Messiah<\/strong>
\n Dec. 13, 2019, 7:30 p.m.<\/strong>
\nWhat\u2019s better than one choir? Two choirs! Toronto choral giant EIS presents Messiah<\/em> under Lydia Adams\u2019 direction. This year, the guest list includes the Amadeus Choir, and soloists Leslie Fagan, Daniel Cabena, Michael Colvin and Alexander Dobson. Organist Patricia Wright will breathe life into the mighty Casavant<\/a> <\/span>of Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, alongside two Roberts on trumpets (Venables, DiVito), and an orchestra \u2014 a solid choice for the midtown crowd. Details here<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

Toronto Beach Chorale: Messiah for the City<\/strong>
\n Dec. 21, 2019, 4 p.m.<\/strong>
\nConceived by the late Jack Layton<\/a><\/span>, Toronto Beach Choral <\/a><\/span>in partnership with St. Andrew\u2019s, present Messiah for the City, with an 80-voice chorus combining TBC, MSC Chorus Mississauga and the Georgetown Bach Choral. CBC\u2019s Tom Allen hosts. Tickets through invitations.<\/p>\n

Tafelmusik’s Sing-Along Messiah<\/em> (2011):<\/p>\n