The “Messiah” will return.
Toccata’s eighth annual production of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be presented at five venues from Dec. 6-13.
Carson Valley Arts Council will sponsor the first concert on Dec. 6 in St. Gall Church in Gardnerville. Toccata, the Tahoe Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, will be joined by guest singers for the performance, which is separate from the Toccata regular season. Purchase tickets at cvartscouncil@yahoo.com.
“Messiah” will be seen and heard Dec. 11 in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Incline Village. The new Grace Church Sanctuary in Reno’s first classical concert will be Dec. 13. St. Theresa Church in South Lake Tahoe on Dec. 15 is the site of the penultimate performance. “The Messiah” concludes back in Reno Dec. 18 in the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
“Messiah” debuted in Dublin, Ireland on March 23, 1742 and was conducted by its composer. According to Toccata founder and maestro James Rawie, the production is a celebration of the holidays and includes not only favorite selections from Messiah Parts 1 and 3, but also seasonal carols that the audience are welcome to join in singing.
Joining the TOCCATA Orchestra and Chorus for this production are soloists Joy Strotz, Anna Helwing and Jennifir Tibben, sopranos; Stephanie Dixon and Maryanne Ashley, mezzo soprano, Chris Nelson and Sherman Modeste, tenors, and Stuart Duke and Ryan Ashley, baritones. The TOCCATA Children’s Chorus from South Lake Tahoe, directed by Bonnie Turnball, will perform on Dec. 15. The TOCCATA Chamber Orchestra features Louis Steptoe as concertmaster; David Brock, Nick Haines as continuo; and Mark Lord, William van Meter and Dwyane Hollenbach on Baroque trumpets.All performances will be conducted by Maestro James Rawie.
Toccata will present “Baroque Masters, Music of Back Vivaldi, Handel and Telemann” Jan. 4-10. The Feb. 8-14 Paul Guttman Series celebrates the compositions of Bach, Bruch and Greig and features violinist Elizabeth Pitcairn and pianist Ann LaRose.
For information or preferred seating, call 775-313-9697. Visit TOCCATA at www.ToccataTahoe.com, or email at ToccataTahoe@gmail.com.
“Messiah”
- 7 p.m. Dec. 6 in St. Gall Church, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville. Tickets: cvartscouncil@yahoo.com. 775-782-2852
- 7 p.m. Dec. 11 in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, Incline Village. 775-831-1418
- 7 p.m. Dec. 13 in Grace Church Sanctuary, 1220 Robb Drive, Reno. 775-747-9000
- 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 in St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1041 Lyons Ave., South Lake Tahoe. 530-544-3533
- 7 p.m. Dec. 18 in Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 California Ave., Reno 775-329-0696
Tickets are available at the door and online at www.ToccataTahoe.com. General admission to all concerts is $25 adults, $20 seniors, $5 students aged 19 to 23 with valid ID. Preferred seating is $35 and $15 for youth/students. A grant from the two local Foundations, allows youth under 19 years of age to be admitted free to all regular season concerts in 2013. All performances are supported by the Kling Family Foundation.
