“Hallelujah!” In 1741, Handel composed his great oratorio Messiah in just three weeks, and its message continues to reign forever and ever, enthralling audiences annually. Victoria’s magnificent Christ Church Cathedral will be the candlelit setting as the VS, local choirs, and four leading soloists share a story rich in complex emotions and human drama. Lift your spirits once again!
Giuseppe Pietraroia, conductor
Giuseppe Pietraroia is Associate Conductor of the Victoria Symphony and newly appointed Principal Conductor of Pacific Opera Victoria. As a guest conductor he has been engaged by l’Orchestre Métropolitain, Orchestra London, Vancouver Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Calgary Philharmonic, Hamilton Philharmonic, Okanagan Symphony, Regina Symphony, Kingston Symphony and Thunder Bay Symphony.
His extensive opera engagements with Pacific Opera include productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia, La traviata, La bohème, Lucia di Lammermoor, Norma, Rigoletto, Manon Lescaut, Madama Butterfly, La Cenerentola, Tosca, and Let’s Make an Opera/The Little Sweep. In addition, he has conducted productions for l’Opéra de Montréal, l’Opéra de Québec, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Edmonton Opera, Opera New Brunswick, Calgary Opera’s Emerging Artist Program, and l’Institut Canadien d’Art Vocal.
With Victoria Choral Society, where he was Music Director for seven seasons, Maestro Pietraroia conducted performances of Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s Mass in C minor with the Victoria Symphony, a choreographed production of Orff’s Carmina Burana in collaboration with Ballet Victoria, Dvořák’s Stabat Mater, David Fanshawe’s African Sanctus, and the Duruflé and Fauré Requiems.
Maestro Pietraroia has recorded a CD with soprano Marie-Josée Lord and l’Orchestre Métropolitain for the ATMA label, which won a Felix award granted by l’ADISQ and was also nominated for a JUNO award.
Giuseppe Pietraroia is the recipient of the George and Jane Heffelfinger Pacific Opera Victoria Artist of the Year Award and the Canada Council’s Jean-Marie Beaudet Award in Orchestral Conducting.
Yulia Van Doren, soprano
Biography to come.
Nicholas Burs, countertenor
Biography to come.
Thomas Hobbs, tenor
Biography to come.
Jonathan Woody, bass-baritone
Biography to come.
Victoria Children’s Choir
Biography to come.
Christ Church Cathedral Young Choristers
Biography to come.
Vox Humana Chamber Choir and Friends
Biography to come.
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL (1685—1759)
Messiah, HWV 56
Part I
Symphony
Comfort ye (Tenor)
Ev’ry valley (Tenor)
And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
Thus saith the Lord (Bass)
But who may abide (Alto)
And He shall purify (Chorus)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive (Alto)
O thou that tellest (Alto/Chorus)
For behold, darkness (Bass)
The people that walked in darkness (Bass)
For unto us a child is born (Chorus)
Pifa (orchestra)
There were shepherds (Soprano)
And lo, the angel of the Lord (Soprano)
And the angel said unto them (Soprano)
And suddenly there was with the angel (Soprano)
Glory to God (Chorus)
Rejoice greatly (Soprano)
Then shall the eyes of the blind (Alto)
He shall feed his flock (Alto/Soprano)
His yoke is easy (Chorus)
INTERMISSION
Part II
Behold the Lamb of God (Chorus)
He was despised (Alto)
Surely He hath borne our griefs (Chorus)
And with His stripes (Chorus)
All we like sheep (Chorus)
All they that see him (Tenor)
He trusted in God (Chorus)
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (Tenor)
Behold and see (Tenor)
Lift up your heads (Chorus)
How beautiful are the feet (Soprano)
Why do the nations (Bass)
Let us break their bonds (Chorus)
He that dwelleth in heaven (Tenor)
Thou shalt break them (Tenor)
Hallelujah (Chorus)
Part III
I know that my Redeemer liveth (Soprano)
Since by man came death (Chorus)
Behold, I tell you a mystery (Bass)
The trumpet shall sound (Bass) (with DC)
Worthy is the Lamb (Chorus)
Amen (Chorus)