Printer Friendly Version - Branford 'Messiah' Returns for 32nd Performance Dec. 22

Branford Messiah, now in its 32nd year, will perform Part I of Handel's Messiah on Sunday afternoon, December 22 at 5 p.m. in the First Congregational Church on the Branford Green.Photo contributed by Algis Kaupas

Celebrate the holidays with one of classical music's most beloved traditions. Branford Messiah, now in its 32nd year, will perform Part I of Handel's Messiah on Sunday afternoon, December 22 at 5 p.m. in the First Congregational Church on the Branford Green.

Under the baton of conductor Roy Wiseman, a professional chamber orchestra and professional soloists join over 50 community singers to share the joy of the season in this beautiful and festive space.

This wonderful musical experience, launched in 1986 by Ettie Minor Luckey, is for the whole family. Branford Messiah continues to gift this highlight of the holiday season to the community free of charge, as Luckey intended.

Roy Wiseman is a conductor who has premiered dozens of works by American composers; he has conducted at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Kennedy Center, the Oregon Festival of American Music, the Goodspeed Opera House, the Yale Center for British Art, and the Palace Theater (New Haven). He is currently serving as Conductor of the Wesleyan University Orchestra, and is the founder and Artistic Director of both New World Consort, a chamber ensemble that specializes in American music, and Elite Syncopation, a ragtime/early jazz ensemble that tours nationally.

Dr. Wiseman has also served as Music Advisor to Garrison Keillor's NPR program, recording annotator for the Musical Heritage Society, and lecturer in Wesleyan's Graduate Liberal Studies Program. He serves on the music faculties of Wesleyan University, Central Connecticut State University, and the Educational Center for the Arts (ECA, New Haven).

Educated at Bennington College, the Yale School of Music, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, Dr. Wiseman is especially please to be conducting Handel's Messiah, the subject of his doctoral thesis, in Branford again this season.

Soloists for this performance will be Lielle Berman, soprano, Rebecca Ringle Kamarei, mezzo soprano, Jonghyun Park, tenor, and Kenneth Overton, baritone.

Come and enjoy the beauty of this masterpiece and the spirit of the season. The concert is free of charge and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The concert is supported by a grant from Shoreline Arts Alliance, CT Office of the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.