Friends of Music will present the 23rd annual performance of Handel’s “Messiah” Part I and selections from Parts II & III, at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 6587 Upper York Road, Solebury.
The Senior Choir of Trinity and the Madrigal Singers from Bucks County Community College will be accompanied by the LaFiocco Orchestra playing period instruments or copies of them, performing at baroque pitch and conducted by Timothy Harrell, organist/choirmaster at Trinity Church.
Rochelle Reed returns as soprano soloist. She is a full-time faculty member at Bucks County Community College, where she conducts the Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, and Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, and teaches applied voice. She has appeared as a soloist with Princeton Opera, Piccola Opera of Philadelphia, Amato Opera of New York, Opera North of Vermont, Princeton Pro Musica, Princeton Chamber Orchestra, Palisades Symphony, and Philomel.
Countertenor Nicholas Tamagna who made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Handel’s “Agrippina” in the role of Narciso, and at the Winer Staatsoper in Britten’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as Oberon is returning. His recent roles and concerts include performances in Halle, Germany; Milan, Italy, Moscow, Russia, and Vienna, Austria in works by Handel, Bach, Vivaldi, and Hasse.
In the 2023-2024 season, his projects include the role of Refugee in a new production of “Flight” at the Staatstheater Oldenburg; Orfeo in Gluck’s “Orfeo ed Euridice” at Tel Aviv Opera; “Armindo” in Handel’s “Partenope” at the San Francisco Opera, and many more.
Tenor Marc Molomot enjoys an international career and was recently named “Artist of the Year” by Voix des Arts. Originally known for appearances with the world’s leading early music ensembles, and conductors including William Christie, John Eliot Gardiner, Nicholas McGegan, and Andrew Parrott, Molomot is now praised as “an excellent actor-singer” in repertoire of all eras.
His roles in Baroque opera include the title role of Purcell’s “King Arthur” for Long Beach Opera, Puck in “Fairy Queen,” a co-production with Chicago Opera Theatre, and Sailor in “Dido and Aeneas” with Angel’s Share in New York City.
Baritone Brian Chu has established himself onstage and in recital as a dynamic interpreter of music of the Baroque to the 21st century. A specialist in oratorio work, he has soloed with the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, the Bach Society of Winter Park, Brandywine Baroque, La Fiocco, Piffaro, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Spire Chamber Ensemble of Kansas City, and the choir of Trinity Church Wall Street, with repeat appearances in the title role of Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,” the Bach “Passions,” Haydn’s “Creation,” the Brahms, Mozart and Verdi “Requiems,” and Handel’s “Messiah” on three continents.
Admission is $25 for adults in advance, $30 at the door, $10 for children 18 and under. Advance ticket purchase is encouraged at https://www.trinitysolebury.org/messiah. A reception will follow.
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