Asbury Park Press previews Handel's Messiah with the NJSO
Previewing the NJSO’s performances of Handel’s Messiah December 19 – 21 in Princeton, Neptune and New Brunswick, The Asbury Park Press writes:
[That the “Messiah” has become ingrained in the Christmas season tradition] is achieved mostly on the music’s own merits. The work has remained popular, being performed nearly every year from its premiere in Ireland in 1742 down to the present day. Hearing it each year reminds us of that.
It’s not simply the “Hallelujah” chorus, as thrilling a moment as that is. It is not even a mere collection of such highlights, including, say, “I Know that My Redeemer Liveth,” “His Yoke Is Easy” and “But Who May Abide the Day of His Coming?” On the contrary, “Messiah” is a deathless work from beginning to end.
Modern audiences might find the Baroque instrumentation too subdued, the subtleties within that beige wall of 18th-century instrumental color too fine for ears used to the garish juxtapositions of a modern orchestra’s sound world. But that only makes it that much more worthwhile to dedicate an afternoon or evening to its hearing. One need not be a music scholar or a Christian to find in the “Messiah” a musical perfection or a spiritual renewal, or both.
Lacombe will lead the chamber orchestra in performances at three locations. A second performance will be at 7:30 that same evening at Richardson Auditorium, Princeton University campus, Princeton. A third performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Michael T. Lake Performing Arts Center, 55 Neptune Blvd., Neptune. A 3 p.m. matinee will be performed at New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center Street, Newark, on Sunday, Dec. 21.The NJSO has performed day events for students at the relatively new 1,600-seat Neptune venue. However this is the first time the group is bringing a full evening concert program to the location.
Quoted in the group’s news release, Lacombe notes that “reaching out to new audiences in their own communities is an important part of our mission.” A special buffet dinner will be available in the lobby of Lake Performing Arts Center. Advance reservations are required.