Handel’s Messiah

Cosette Justo Valdés, conductor
McKenzie Warriner, soprano
Oli Guselle, alto
Spencer McKnight, tenor
Brenden Friesen, bass
SSO Chorus, Duff Warkentin, conductor

Joyous | Reverence | Uplifting

Saskatoon’s longest-running holiday tradition is back! We can’t wait to share the glorious sounds of Handel’s Messiah with you this holiday season.  Cosette Justo Valdés returns to lead four of Saskatchewan’s exceptional vocal artists, the SSO, and Chorus in this timeless work.

Check out our Sing-Along Messiah concert right HERE!

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The Program

Handel’s Messiah

Cosette Justo Valdés, conductor
McKenzie Warriner, soprano
Oli Guselle, alto
Spencer McKnight, tenor
Brenden Friesen, bass
SSO Chorus, Duff Warkentin, conductor

Messiah

Part I

Scene 1: Isaiah’s prophecy of salvation

1. Sinfony (instrumental)
2. Comfort ye my people (tenor)
3. Ev’ry valley shall be exalted (air for tenor)
4. And the glory of the Lord (chorus)

Scene 2: The coming judgment

5. Thus saith the Lord of hosts (recitative for bass)
6. But who may abide the day of His coming (alto)
7. And he shall purify the sons of Levi (chorus)

Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ’s birth

8. Behold, a virgin shall conceive (alto)
9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (air for alto and chorus)
10. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass)
11. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light (bass)
12. For unto us a child is born (duet chorus)

Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds

13. Pifa
14. (a) There were shepherds abiding in the fields (recitative for soprano), (b) And lo, the angel of the Lord (recitative for soprano)
15. And the angel said unto them (recitative for soprano)
16. And suddenly there was with the angel (recitative for soprano)
17. Glory to God in the highest (chorus)

Scene 5: Christ’s healing and redemption

18. Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)
19. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened (recitative for alto)
20. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd (alto and soprano)
21. His yoke is easy (chorus)

~Intermission~

Part II

Scene 1: Christ’s Passion

22. Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
23. He was despised and rejected of men (alto)
24. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (chorus)
25. And with his stripes we are healed (chorus)
26. All we like sheep have gone astray (chorus)
27. All they that see him laugh him to scorn (recitative for tenor)
28. He trusted in God that he would deliver him (chorus)
29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (tenor)
30. Behold and see if there be any sorrow (tenor)

Scene 2: Christ’s Death and Resurrection

31. He was cut off (tenor)
32. But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (tenor)
33. Lift up your heads (chorus)

Scene 6: The world’s rejection of the Gospel 

40. Why do the nations so furiously rage together (bass)
41. Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus)
42. He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)

Scene 7: God’s ultimate victory

43. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron (tenor)
44. Hallelujah (anthem and fugue chorus)

Part III

Scene 1: The promise of eternal life

45. I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
46. Since by man came death (chorus)

Scene 2: The Day of Judgment

47. Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)
48. The trumpet shall sound (bass)

Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah

53. Worthy is the Lamb (chorus)

Amen (chorus)

George Frideric Handel
Charles Jennens, librettist

The Artists

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This concert includes:

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The Saskatoon Symphony Chorus
Duff Warkentin, choral conductor

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Program Notes

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