Handel's Messiah 2022

Elroy Friesen, conductor
Christina Thanisch-Smith, soprano
Geneva Halverson, mezzo-soprano
Haitham Haidar, tenor
Clarence Frazer, baritone
Canzona, choir
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra

Part I:

Sinfony
Recitative: Comfort ye my people (tenor)
Air: Ev’ry valley shall be exalted (tenor)
Chorus: And the glory of the Lord

Recitative: Thus saith the Lord (bass)
Air: But who may abide the day of his coming (mezzo)
Chorus: And he shall purify

Recitative: Behold, a virgin shall conceive (mezzo)
Air and chorus: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (mezzo)
Recitative: For behold, darkness shall cover the earth (bass)
Air: The people that walked in darkness (bass)
Chorus: For unto us a child is born

Pastoral Symphony: Pifa
Recitative: There were shepherds abiding in the fields (soprano)
Recitative: And the angel said unto them (soprano)
Recitative: And suddenly there was with the angel (soprano)
Chorus: Glory to God

Air: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (soprano)

Recitative: Then shall the eyes of the blind (alto)
Air: He shall feed his flock (mezzo and soprano)
Chorus: His yoke is easy

-intermission-

Part II:

Chorus: Surely he hath borne our griefs
Chorus: And with his stripes we are healed
Chorus: All we like sheep have gone astray
Recitative: All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn (tenor)
Chorus: He Trusted in God
Recitative: Thy rebuke hath broken His heart (soprano)
Air: Behold and see if there be any sorrow (soprano)

Recitative: He was cut off out of the land (tenor)
Air: But thou didst not leave his soul (tenor)

Chorus: Lift up your heads, O ye gates
Air: How beautiful are the feet (mezzo)
Air: Why do the nations (bass)
Chorus: Let us break their bonds asunder
Recitative: He that dwelleth in heaven (tenor)

Air: Thou shalt break them (tenor)
Chorus: Hallelujah

There will be a very brief interval between Parts II and III. Please remain in the hall.

Part III:

Air: I know that my Redeemer liveth (soprano)
Chorus: Since by man came death

Recitative: Behold, I tell you a mystery (bass)
Air: The trumpet shall sound (bass)
Chorus: Worthy is the Lamb & Amen

The division into parts and scenes is based on the 1743-word book prepared for the first London performance.

Elroy Friesen, conductor

Described as “innovative, expressive, and dynamic,” Elroy Friesen is Director of Choral Studies at the University of Manitoba, where he conducts numerous choirs and teaches graduate conducting. He has been Artistic Director of Canzona, Winnipeg’s professional Baroque choral ensemble, and he actively researches Baroque performance practice.

Elroy has also published his research on the choral music of Finnish composer Einojuhani Rautavaara and pursues his passion of study and performance of new Nordic repertoire – especially new Canadian works. His award-winning ensembles tour nationally and internationally, and are frequently recorded and broadcasted by the CBC. They enjoy collaborating with many outstanding local and national arts organizations, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Canadian College of Organists, WSO New Music Festival, Soundstreams Canada, Groundswell, Vancouver Chamber Choir, MusikBarock Ensemble, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, and the Latvian Radio Choir.

Christina Thanisch-Smith, soprano

Praised for her “exquisite and ethereal presence with a lovely lyric coloratura” (GigCity), soprano Christina Thanisch-Smith is establishing herself as one of Canada’s up and coming sopranos. Born in Fredericton and raised in Winnipeg, Christina now resides in Montreal. This year, she started the Graduate Diploma in Performance program McGill University’s Schulich School of Music as a member of Dominique Labelle and Michael McMahon’s studios. 

Christina is a member of Les Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Ensemble for the 2022-23 season, and is making her debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra as soprano soloist for Handel’s Messiah.

Equally content performing both opera and chamber music, Christina’s recent engagements included a solo recital with the Agassiz Chamber Music Festival, attending the Toronto Summer Music Festival as an Art of Song Fellow and Wendy Nielsen’s Opera Workshop in New Brunswick, and her role debut as Eurydice in Gluck’s Orphée et Eurydice with Manitoba Underground Opera. In April, she made her Maison Symphonique de Montreal debut as the soloist for Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with the McGill Symphony Orchestra. In her 2021 season, Christina sang the title roles in Poulenc’s Les mamelles de Tirésias and Handel’s Partenope, respectively, with Opera McGill.

Geneva Halverson, mezzo-soprano

Geneva Halverson is a Winnipeg mezzo-soprano, pianist, and song writer. Geneva holds a Bachelor of Music (performance) degree from the University of Manitoba Desautels Faculty of Music as well as a Post Baccalaureate Diploma in opera performance.

As a child, Geneva was quick to gravitate to the performing arts, beginning piano lessons and dance classes at the age of five. After seeing musical theatre for the first time, Geneva enrolled in musical theatre classes and eventually, voice lessons. The dynamic nature of theatre suited Geneva’s personality perfectly. Geneva now brings this flair for story-telling and acting to classical singing.

As a performer, Geneva is known for a unique ability to convey characters and captivate audiences. Prior to beginning vocal studies, Geneva completed grade ten RCM piano examinations, studying under Jacqueline Ryz.

Geneva began studying at the University of Manitoba as a piano major. As a result of injury, Geneva made the decision to study voice. Currently studying with Mel Braun, Geneva previously studied under Donna Fletcher and David Klassen. Geneva is well versed in many genres including oratorio, art, song, and musical theatre.

Geneva is a past winner of the Zita Bernstein German Lieder competition as well as a 2022 top three finalist of the Women’s Musical Club McLellan Competition. As a private teacher, Geneva instructs a talented roster of voice and piano students, many of whom have gone on to pursue performance careers of their own.

Haitham Haidar, tenor

Haitham Haidar is a Lebanese-Palestinian Canadian tenor, currently based in Montreal. He is a proud graduate of Yale’s Institute of Sacred Music, McGill’s Schulich School of Music, and the University of British Columbia.

Praised for his ‘ductile,’ ‘bright,’ and ‘robust’ tenor, Haitham enjoys performing oratorio, opera, and chamber music across North America, Europe, and Asia. He has recently joined Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble, a group that develops opportunity for music excellence and diversity to exist in one space.

When he’s not performing, Haitham spends his time playing the recorder, taking care of his cat Tonks, and going for long walks along the canal. He also enjoys incorporating Arabic music into his performances.

Clarence Frazer, baritone

Canadian/Korean baritone Clarence Frazer brings his “silky-smooth baritone” to a wide range of roles and concert repertoire. An alumnus of Canadian Opera Company’s prestigious Ensemble Studio and Calgary Opera’s McPhee Artist Development Program, Clarence starred as Figaro with Pacific Opera Victoria and Saskatoon Opera in Il barbiere di Siviglia.

Clarence sang Marcello in Against the Grain Theatre’s acclaimed 2019 production of La bohéme, touring from Yukon to Toronto.

This season, Clarence debuts with Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Thunder Bay Symphony in performances of Messiah and is a guest soloist in God, Thy Earth is Aflame by Latvian composer Lucija Garuta, with Ottawa Choral Society. Clarence performs with Chorus Niagara in The Houses Stand Not Far Apart (Estacio) and Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem.

Canzona, choir

Rooted in a love of Baroque music, Canzona’s mission is to transform audiences through exceptional choral performance. Founded in 1989 by conductor Henry Engbrecht, Canzona is now in its 31st season and has become one of Manitoba’s premiere choral ensembles.

Under Artistic Director, Kathleen Allan, the choir continues to delve into the Baroque masterworks while staying committed to introducing Manitoba audiences to lesser-known composers and providing context for the works of the past in the contemporary world. Canzona’s mandate is to bring exceptional choral music to Manitoba audiences and to provide high-level professional opportunities for Manitoba singers.

Canzona’s CD recordings have reached audiences around the world, and the major success of the three-volume German Hymns project brought Canzona’s music to the homes of thousands of North American families. The choir has collaborated with leading organizations such as the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Groundswell, Camerata Nova, and MusickBarock. Their 30th anniversary season included a four-concert Southern Manitoba tour of J.S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, a world premiere alongside Bach motets at their 30th Anniversary Gala, and a collaboration with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra in Handel’s Israel in Egypt.

Musician Nucleus

FIRST VIOLINS
Gwen Hoebig, Concertmaster
The Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt-Gramatté Memorial Chair, endowed by the Eckhardt-Gramatté Foundation
Karl Stobbe, Associate Concertmaster
Jeff Dydra
Mona Coarda
Tara Fensom
Hong Tian Jia
Mary Lawton
Sonia Lazar
Julie Savard
Jun Shao
Rebeca Weger**

SECOND VIOLINS
Chris Anstey, Principal
Elation Pauls, Assistant Principal
Karen Bauch
Kristina Bauch,
Elizabeth Dyer
Bokyung Hwang*
Rodica Jeffrey
Momoko Matsumura **
Susan McCallum
Takayo Noguchi
Jane Radomski

VIOLAS
Elise Lavallée, Acting Principal
Dmytro Kreshchenskyi, Acting Assistant Principal**
Marie-Elyse Badeau
Laszlo Baroczi
Richard Bauch
Greg Hay
Michael Scholz

CELLOS
Yuri Hooker, Principal
Emma Quackenbush, Acting Assistant Principal
Grace An **
Arlene Dahl
Samuel Nadurak **
Alyssa Ramsay
Sean Taubner

BASSES
Meredith Johnson, Principal
James McMillan
Daniel Perry
Eric Timperman
Emily Krajewski**

FLUTES
Jan Kocman, Principal
Supported by Gordon & Audrey Fogg
Alex Conway

OBOES
Beverly Wang, Principal
Robin MacMillan

CLARINETS
Micah Heilbrunn, Principal

BASSOONS
Kathryn Brooks, Principal *
Mark Kreshchenskyi, Acting Principal **
Elizabeth Mee **

HORNS
Patricia Evans, Principal
Ken MacDonald, Associate Principal
The Hilda Schelberger Memorial Chair
Aiden Kleer
Caroline Oberheu
Michiko Singh

TRUMPETS
Chris Fensom, Principal
Paul Jeffrey, Associate Principal
Isaac Pulford
The Patty Kirk Memorial Chair

TROMBONES
Steven Dyer, Principal
Keith Dyrda
Isabelle Lavoie**

TIMPANI
Andrew Nazer**

PERCUSSION
Andrew Johnson, Principal

Harpsichord
Michelle Mourre (guest)

HARP
Richard Turner, Principal
Endowed by W.H. & S.E. Loewen

PERSONNEL MANAGER
Isaac Pulford

MUSIC LIBRARIAN
Michaela Kleer

ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN
Aiden Kleer

* On Leave
** 1 year appointment