Greenville Choral Union and Orchestra to present Handel's 'Messiah'

Published: November 08, 2023

Author: Dave Bell

The Greenville Choral Union and Orchestra will present its 93rd performance of George Frederic Handel’s oratorio “Messiah” at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 3, on the Greenville University campus. Paired with Part 1 of that classic holiday work will be selections from John Rutter’s “Magnificat.”

The performance will be in the Whitlock Music Center, located at the intersection of College Avenue and Elm Street. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be taken to defray the costs of the program.

This will be the first performance of the “Messiah” since new seating was installed in Whitlock Music Center, pictured above. Padded chairs have replaced the old pews, increasing the facility’s seating capacity from 375 to 430.

Don Frazure, director of choral activities at Greenville University, will direct the performance. He said that adding the “Magnificat” will create a memorable performance. “I’m very excited to include Rutter’s ‘Magnificat’ in this year’s program,” said Frazure, pictured below. “His 20th-century work is an energetic yet contemplative Latin setting of “Mary’s Song of Praise” from Luke 1:46-55 and will contrast nicely with Handel’s timeless ‘Messiah.’”

This year’s program will feature eight soloists:

• Dan Denner, a baritone and 2008 GU alum.

• Marissa Horning, a mezzo soprano and 2023 GU alum.

• Jennifer Wilson, a soprano and longtime member of the choral union.

• Rachel Frazure, a soprano and wife of the director.

• Will Sunderland, a tenor and 2020 GU alum.

• Joy Winkler, a mezzo soprano.

• Don Frazure, a tenor and the director.

• Michelle Rose, a soprano and previous accompanist for the choral union.

Accompanying the vocalists on the continuo and piano will be Rebecca Koebbe.

Following the performance, a reception will be held across Elm Street in the Alumni House.

A second performance of the program will be presented the following Sunday, December 10, at 3 p.m. at Christ Church in Fairview Heights, where Frazure serves as worship arts pastor.

For more information, contact the Greenville University Department of Music at 618-664-6560.