The Angeles Chorale to Perform Handel's "Messiah" on December 12th

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 12, 2009) - The Angeles Chorale, a world-class, large choral ensemble based in Los Angeles, led by world-renowned Resident Guest Conductor Donald Neuen, will join a full baroque orchestra for a spirited, historically-authentic performance of "Messiah" by George Frideric Handel on Saturday, December 12th, 2009 at 8:00pm at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena at 500 East Colorado Blvd.

Maestro Neuen is one of the world's leading scholars on "Messiah," previously having studied it with preeminent Handel musicologists Jens Peter Larsen and Alfred Mann. Neuen has chosen to present Mann's score, with his own edits approved by Mann, as the version most closely representing the original 1741 composition.

Maestro Neuen, Professor of Music/Conducting and Director of Choral Activities at UCLA, served for 12 years in the same capacity at the Eastman School of Music, and was a protégé and Assistant Conductor/Director of Choral Activities for Robert Shaw with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Neuen also conducts the landmark Crystal Cathedral Choir in Garden Grove, CA, appearing weekly on its internationally-televised "Hour of Power" broadcast.

"There are few major choral works in which the composer was so successful in combining vital rhythmic energy with beautiful melodic lines," said Neuen. "In doing so, Handel embraced the stylistic writing of the Renaissance, which pre-dated him, his present-day Baroque style, and maybe even unknowingly ventured into the future with extremely powerful and dramatic musical moments."

Featured soloists include: Courtney Taylor (Soprano), Cynthia Jansen (Alto), Todd Strange (Tenor), and Abdiel González (Baritone).

The Angeles Chorale has presented master choral works to Los Angeles audiences for 35 years. High-profile guest appearances include performances with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Pasadena Symphony, Glendale Symphony, as well as recording large numbers of choral sequences used in feature film trailers and television advertising.

The 2009-2010 season marks the Angeles Chorale's 35th anniversary, and is themed A Season of Classics. Performances include: "America: Our Music, Our Heritage" in March 2010, and Beethoven's "Missa Solemnis" in June 2010. Additionally, the Angeles Chorale will be joining the American Youth Symphony as they honor one of Los Angeles's premiere film and television composers, Oscar-winning Jerry Goldsmith in "The Goldsmith Project II;" part I, conducted by Artistic Director/Conductor of the AYS Alexander Treger, and Oscar-winner David Newman.

Tickets to "Messiah" are $25.00 and are available online at www.angeleschorale.org or by calling 818-591-1735.

Contact Information: For more information contact: Laura Huusko 310.963.9550 www.angeleschorale.org