All are welcome to the annual Rutland Area Chorus’ performance of Handel’s Messiah at Grace Church, Rutland.
When: December 8, 2019 at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Where: Grace Church Sanctuary
We are located on the corner of Court and West. For parking, enter our lot from
West Street. Street parking is also available on Court Street.
The handicap entrance may be accessed through the north side portico of Grace Church via the parking lot. The elevator is located in the central part of the building.
About: The Rutland Area Chorus will present Handel’s Messiah on December 8 at 3:30 and 7 p.m. All are invited to this wonderful annual celebration of the coming of the Messiah! The concert will also feature O Sing Unto the Lord by renaissance composer, Henry Purcell, and the winning work of the Grace Church Composition Competition, O Emmanuel by Michael Sitton. Dr Sitton, Dean of the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY, describes his work:
‘O Emmanuel is a setting of a text based on the Advent “O Antiphons,” for mixed choir, chamber orchestra, a solo quartet employed to sing an unaccompanied recurring refrain. It is a predominantly lyrical setting, with a quiet opening and closing, and encompasses a variety of moods and textures reflecting each verse of the text. Instrumental support is primarily provided by string ensemble, with additional support and added color from organ and timpani. A pair of oboes are featured both as solo instruments and for occasional doubling and obbligato material. While the text clearly ties to the Advent tradition and to Hebrew and Christian scriptures, the content is largely nonsectarian in its thrust and speaks to universal aspirations of hope and longing.’