Handel’s Messiah

Cosette Justo Valdés, conductor
Casey Peden, soprano
Oli Guselle, alto
Spencer McKnight, tenor
Brenden Friesen, bass
SSO Chorus with Duff Warkentin

After her phenomenal Messiah performance last season, Maestra Cosette Justo Valdes returns to the SSO’s Messiah.

This timeless work was first performed in Saskatoon in 1913, a night that marked the very beginnings of what would become the SSO. We’re thrilled to mark the 110th anniversary of this holiday tradition in Saskatoon.

This performance is sold out, but you can still buy Saturday Afternoon’s Sing-Along Messiah tickets. Click Here for Sing-Along Messiah

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Stream this performance on ConcertStream.tv starting December 17, 2023.

A digital ticket gives you 24-hour access to the stream for $21
Supporter tickets can be purchased for $39

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The Program

Handel’s Messiah

Cosette Justo Valdés, conductor
Casey Peden, soprano
Oli Guselle, alto
Spencer McKnight, tenor
Brenden Friesen, bass
SSO Chorus, Duff Warkentin, choral conductor
Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra

Messiah

Part I

Scene 1: Isaiah’s prophecy of salvation

1. Sinfonia – Overture (instrumental)
2. Comfort ye my people (recitative for 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 (recitative for bass)
6. But who may abide the day of His coming? (air for alto)
7. And he shall purify (chorus)

Scene 3: The prophecy of Christ’s birth

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

Scene 4: The annunciation to the shepherds

13. Pifa – Pastoral Symphony (instrumental)
14. (a) There were shepherds abiding in the field (recitative for soprano), (b) And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them (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 (chorus)

Scene 5: Christ’s healing and redemption

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

~Intermission~

Part II

Scene 1: Christ’s Passion

22. Behold the Lamb of God (chorus)
23. He was despised (air for alto)
24. Surely he has borne our griefs (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 (chorus)
29. Thy rebuke hath broken his heart (recitative for tenor)
30. Behold, and see if there be any sorrow (air for tenor)

Scene 2: Christ’s Death and Resurrection

31. He was cut off out of the land of the living (recitative for tenor)
32. But thou didst not leave his soul in hell (air for tenor)
33. Lift up your heads, O ye gates (chorus)

Scene 6: The world’s rejection of the Gospel 

38. How beautiful are the feet (air for alto)
39. Their sound is gone out (chorus)
40. Why do the nations so furiously rage together? (air for bass)
41. Let us break their bonds asunder (chorus)
42. He that dwelleth in heaven (recitative for tenor)

Scene 7: God’s ultimate victory

43. Thou shalt break them (air for tenor)
44. Hallelujah (chorus)

Part III

Scene 1: The promise of eternal life

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

Scene 2: The Day of Judgment

47. Behold, I tell you a mystery (recitative for bass)
48. The trumpet shall sound (air for bass)
49. Then shall be brought to pass (recitative for alto)
50. O death, where is thy sting? (duet for alto and tenor)
51. But thanks be to God (chorus)

Scene 4: The acclamation of the Messiah

53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain (chorus) & Amen (chorus)

George Frideric Handel
Charles Jennens, librettist

The Artists

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Click here to read about your Orchestra!

This concert  includes:

SSO Chorus
Duff Warkentin, conductor

Special Thanks

Thanks to Nutana Park Mennonite Church for hosting our chorus rehearsals.

Program Notes

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