The Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut

Norwalk Symphony joins forces with Mendelssohn Choir for 'Messiah'

Published November 30, 2006

Those who think they know "Messiah" are in for a few surprises when the Diane Wittry, conducting the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra and the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, with Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, founder and director, join forces for Handel's "Messiah" on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 8:00 p.m. at the acoustically superior Norwalk Concert Hall.

This performance will be an encore collaboration of the 2004 sold out event, again featuring the award-winning Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut. As she did two years ago, Wittry has chosen a number of lesser heard arias from the many different versions of "Messiah" Handel composed over several years. Many have said that hearing this unforgettable performance of this popular yuletide classic helps make their holiday season complete.

"Messiah was written for the theater, as pure entertainment to show off solo voices and chorus," says NSO conductor and music director Diane Wittry. "It should be joyful. It should be exciting! Certainly "Messiah" is done frequently. But if you bring a new concept to it, then it can be fun. It becomes the living theater piece it was meant to be."

"Though I am starting with a specific score, I've inserted arias from others," Wittry explains. "There are many versions of Messiah and an individual aria may be available in several keys and tempos, as a duet or a solo, written for one voice part or another. Even people who know the score well are going to discover a freshness to it.".

Working with Dr. Carole Ann Maxwell, founder and director of the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, Ms. Wittry made the final selections and engaged the superior cast of soloists.

Hailed by the Connecticut Post as "an absolutely sparkling soprano," Catherine Viscardi has performed in venues across the US. Ms. Viscardi has been featured as soloist in the Mozart "Requiem" with the Greater Bridgeport Symphony in Connecticut, conducted by Gustav Meier, as well as the Bach "Magnificat" with the Bozeman Symphony in Montana, conducted by Matthew Savery, and the Handel "Messiah" and Bach "St. Matthew's Passion" in New Jersey. As the winner of the 2002 Jenny Lind Competition, she completed a singing tour of Sweden that August. Ms. Viscardi was also a finalist in the 2006 David Adams Song Competition in New York and the 2004 Eleanor Lieber Competition in Portland, Oregon. Ms. Visicardi holds music degrees from Vassar College (NY) and Mannes College of Music (NY).

Tenor David Finley, made his Carnegie Hall debut as conductor and soloist of the world famous Yale Russian Chorus. He is well known in the region for his performances of music of baroque composers, especially the music of J. S. Bach and has extensive credits in opera, operetta and concert work.

Baritone Dennis Blackwell, a versatile artist who has received critical acclaim for his work in opera, concert, recital, and musical theater singing. As a concert soloist, Mr. Blackwell has collaborated with the American University Symphony Orchestra (Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs), Stonewall Chorale (Messiah), Musica Antiqua New York (Mozart Missae Breves), Bach works (Handel's Israel in Egypt), and an acclaimed guest artist recital as part of the Concert Series at St. Peter's Lutheran Church at Citicorp Center with pianist Elizabeth Hastings.

Countertenor Jeffrey Mandelbaum is a 2003 winner of the Metropolitan Opera N.Y. district competition. He has sung at New York City Opera, with Opera Pacific, at the Spoleto Festival USA and at BAM, and has performed many of Handel's works including Messiah with Amor Artis. Mr. Mandelbaum will be conducting master classes in the New Canaan High School prior to his performance.

Handel's "Messiah" will be performed at 8 p.m. at the Norwalk Concert hall, 125 East Avenue, Norwalk. The Concert Hall is convenient to Exit 16 off I-95, and offers ample free, on-site parking. Tickets are $30, $40, and $50, and may be reserved through the Symphony office at 203-847-8844. Student tickets are also available for $15. Wittry and Maxwell will offer a pre-concert talk, Podium Perspectives, free to ticket holders, at 7 pm in the Concert Hall. For more information, or for information on season subscriptions, please call the office or visit www.norwalksymphony.org