Looking for the perfect antidote to the “rush” of the holiday season? A chance to sit, relax, and take a breath before the big day?
Come to the Guelph Chamber Choir’s performance of Handel’s Messiah on December 20.
This year’s performance is in the breathtaking surroundings of the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate in Guelph. This incredible Gothic Revival style building’s soaring ceiling and acoustics will augment the incredible talent on stage for this special event.
The approximately 40 members of the Guelph Chamber Choir will be joined in this performance by a baroque orchestra and a stellar lineup of soloists. The Guelph Collegiate and Vocational Institute Choir will also be singing in the stirring rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus.
The soloists include the choir’s first Neufeld Emerging Artist, Autumn Debassige, Alto; long-time friend of GCC, Daniel Lichti, Bass; the return of Soprano Elizabeth Lepock; and rising star, Tenor, Wesley Harrison. The choir also welcomes 10-year-old soprano Arthur Gammage to the program.
In addition to the highlight of the performance of the Messiah, concertgoers will also be treated to a pre-performance discussion before the show, at 7:10 p.m. Charlene Pauls, Artistic Director of the Guelph Chamber Choir, will chat with the instrumentalists about their baroque period instruments and interview soloist Autumn Debassige about her experience as the Neufeld Emerging Artist four years ago, and soloist Dan Lichti about his 50-year career in singing.
The choir will also be debuting a beautifully reworked version of the Huron Carol—with a new name and more appropriate text, created in consultation with Indigenous elders. The team behind this work has granted the Guelph Chamber Choir permission to be one of the first choirs to ever perform this reimagined work.
“Please join us at the Guelph Basilica for a memorable evening of Handel’s Messiah, featuring a baroque orchestra, stellar soloists, and the GCVI Choir,” said a choir spokesperson. “With tickets selling out last year, don’t miss your chance to experience this wonderful Christmas tradition!”
Tickets for Handel’s Messiah at the Guelph Basilica on December 20 at 7:30 p.m. are
- Adult: $45.00
- Senior (Age 65+): $40.00
- Young Adult (Age 16 - 30): $10.00
- Age 15 & under: $5.00.
You can purchase tickets online here.