Kent Singers and Fanfare Consort Present Handel's "Messiah"

Kent Singers and Fanfare Consort Present Handel's "Messiah"

The Kent Singers and Fanfare Consort will present Handel's masterpiece "The Messiah" as it was heard in the time of the composer, with performances on Saturday, December 7 at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 164 Deer Hill Ave. in Danbury; and Sunday, December 8 at 4 p.m. in St. Joseph’s Chapel at the Kent School in Kent. The concerts will feature soloists Robert Crowe, male soprano; Susanne Peck, soprano; L. Frederick Jodry, counter tenor; Richard Slade, tenor; Lewis White, baritone; and Thom Freas, clarino (valveless baroque trumpets); accompanied by historically accurate instruments including baroque strings (gut string), baroque woodwinds (keyless and wooden), theorbos (fretted gut bass lutes), harpsichord (plucked strings), positiv (portable baroque tracker pipe organ), and kettledrums (calfskin heads).

Fanfare Consort is a period instrument ensemble dedicated to the research, publication, performance and recording of literature composed prior to the 19th century. The ensemble preserves this rich and unheard body of baroque music by performing modern-day premieres of works that have not been heard since the time of the composers. All concerts are presented on historically accurate instruments in order to heighten public awareness of an earlier style of performance.

The Kent Singers, established in 1973, are dedicated to preparing and performing the finest in choral music, from traditional classics to contemporary works by composers including Vivaldi, Ives, Bach, Copland, Bernstein and Purcell. The Kent Singers also commission works from modern-day composers. Founded by Jon Lafleur, members come from throughout Litchfield and northern Fairfield counties, New York and Massachusetts. Twice a year, the Kent Singers present concerts in Kent and nearby communities.

Thom Freas, founder and artistic director of Fanfare Consort and a clarino virtuoso, is a resident of Sherman. A highly sought after performer in the field of early music, Mr. Freas has appeared with many prominent period instrument ensembles and as soloist throughout the United States and Europe.

Marguerite Muljlee, artistic director of the Kent Singers, holds a doctorate in Choral Conducting and Vocal Pedagogy from Columbia University. She has given workshops to numerous community, church and school choruses and soloists.

Tickets to each performance are $20; for more info call 203-258-9103.