Waukesha Choral Union to present free concert of Handel’s “Messiah”

The Waukesha Choral Union will present George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” as a free gift to the community on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. in Shattuck Auditorium on the Carroll University campus. Artistic director Ernest “Ernie” Brusubardis, III will conduct this performance comprised of choir, orchestra, and soloists. The choir is made up of Waukesha Choral Union members and volunteer community singers. Soloists for the Waukesha Choral Union production are: Kristin Wrolstad, Soprano; Jillian Bruss, Alto; Mark Craig, Tenor; and Thomas J. Weis, Bass.

Waukesha Choral Union has been performing Handel’s “Messiah” or Haydn’s “Creation” as a free concert annually for over three decades. This longstanding tradition is funded by area businesses, foundations, and benefactors as well as through generous donations from patrons. A silent auction of donated merchandise and services will also be held in conjunction with the concert. Brusubardis is “Delighted that all facets of the greater Waukesha community come together to create, perform, experience, and enjoy.”

Handel’s “Messiah” is one of the most popular works in the Western choral literature. The libretto by Charles Jennens is drawn entirely from the King James and Great Bibles, and interprets the Christian doctrine of the Messiah. Composed in London during the summer of 1741 and premiered in Dublin, Ireland on 13 April 1742, it was repeatedly revised by Handel, reaching its most familiar version in the performance to benefit the Foundling Hospital in 1754. The work is divided into three parts, which address specific events in the life of Christ. Part One is primarily concerned with the Advent and Christmas stories. Part Two chronicles Christ's passion, resurrection, ascension, and the proclamation to the world of the Christian message. Part Three is based primarily upon the events chronicled in the Book of Revelation.

Community singers interested in joining the performance must attend three rehearsals:
o Sunday, March 18, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University.
o Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church.
o Saturday, March 24, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Shattuck Auditorium, Carroll University.
Music will be provided. To sing “Messiah” with Waukesha Choral Union, contact the membership chairperson by e-mail at membership@choralunion.org or call 414-297-9310. Shattuck Auditorium is located at 100 North E. Ave., Waukesha. Christ the Servant Lutheran Church is located at 2016 Center Road, Waukesha.

One concert remains in the Waukesha Choral Union’s 2011 – 2012 “Heaven and Nature Sing” season:
o Saturday, May 5, 2012, “Awakening and Renewal” at St. William Parish
For more information, visit http://www.ChoralUnion.org.

The Waukesha Choral Union has been musically active in the community for over 60 years. It presents four concerts each season between October and May. WCU was featured in WISN-TV’s “Season to Celebrate” broadcast during Christmas of 2011. Originally a combination of the Carroll College student chorus and community singers named Waukesha Choral Society in 1949, the group became the Town and Gown in 1961 and the Waukesha Choral Union in 1974, taking its present form as an auditioned choir in 1978. Recent collaborative partners include the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Choristers, Carroll University Choirs, Waukesha South High School A Cappella Choir, Muskego High School Chorale and Chamber Choir, and the Hartford Union High School Concert Choir. For more information visit http://www.choralunion.org.