Edward Polochick Leads Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Concert Artists of Baltimore in Handel's Messiah, December 7 and 8

Baltimore, Md. (November 12, 2007)- The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale will come together for their annual presentation of Handel's Messiah, December 7 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and December 8 at the Music Center at Strathmore. Concert Artists of Baltimore Artistic Director Edward Polochick leads the Orchestra from the harpsichord in his critically acclaimed version of the complete Messiah. In addition to a full chorale, soloists Janice Chandler-Etemé (soprano), Kelley O'Connor (mezzo-soprano), Anthony Dean Griffey (tenor) and Timothy Jones (bass-baritone) join Mr. Polochick and the BSO for this beloved holiday tradition. See below for complete program information.

Award-winning conductor and Baltimore resident Edward Polochick has conducted Messiah with the Baltimore Symphony for 26 years. Unlike most presentations of the iconic choral work, these concerts feature the complete Watson Shaw edition, with Mr. Polochick conducting the Orchestra and choir from the harpsichord, just as Handel himself did. The Baltimore Sun has called Mr. Polochick's work "incisive" and his approach to Messiah "distinctive…some of the most effective interpretive choices."

Best known for its stirring and energetic "Hallelujah Chorus," Handel's Messiah is a holiday favorite throughout the world, though originally composed for the Easter and Lenten season. Working with librettist Charles Jennens, Handel wrote his most famous oratorio in just three weeks over the summer of 1741. Drawing heavily from Old Testament text, Messiah is organized into three distinct parts which loosely recount the story of the Birth, Passion and Aftermath of the messiah, a Hebrew word for "the anointed one." In addition to the "Hallelujah Chorus," other well-known passages include the soprano solo "I know that my Redeemer liveth," tenor solo "Comfort ye my people," and the choral classic "For unto us a child is born."

About Concert Artists of Baltimore
Concert Artists of Baltimore (CAB) is an all-professional chamber orchestra and all-professional vocal ensemble. The 2007-2008 season marks the 21st performing season for this organization. CAB is committed to presenting to the public not only audience favorites and core classical repertoire, but also lesser-known works. These can be unfamiliar works of well-known composers or great works of new or unfamiliar composers. CAB is an organization which demonstrates musical excellence and is committed to the Baltimore community. It offers a rich diversity of programs and encourages participation of all ages and areas of the community. It brings insightful understanding of the richness of classical music to its audience. For further information about CAB, please visit www.cabalto.org.

Edward Polochick, Artistic Director, Concert Artists of Baltimore
Edward Polochick is the Artistic Director of Concert Artists of Baltimore, which he founded in 1987. The 2007-2008 season marks his tenth as Music Director of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra in Nebraska. In addition, he has been at the Peabody Conservatory of Music since 1979, where he is Associate Conductor of the Peabody Orchestras, Director of Choral Ensembles and Opera Conductor.  Since winning the coveted Leopold Stokowski Conducting Award he has attracted international attention as an orchestral, operatic and choral conductor. In 2005 and 2006, he appeared with the Daejeon Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea and the St. Petersburg Symphony in Russia, and has also had engagements in Sioux City, Iowa and Mexico. For further information about Mr. Polochick, please visit www.cabalto.org.

COMPLETE PROGRAM INFORMATION
Special Event: Handel's Messiah
Friday, December 7, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. - Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. - The Music Center at Strathmore

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale
Edward Polochick, conductor

Janice Chandler-Etemé, soprano
Kelley O'Connor, mezzo-soprano
Anthony Dean Griffey, tenor
Timothy Jones, bass-baritone

Special anniversary pricing for the 2007-2008 season at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is made possible by generous underwriting from the PNC Foundation.

Generous media sponsorship provided by The Baltimore Sun.
 
Tickets range from $15 to $84 and are available through the BSO Ticket Office, 410.783.8000, 877.BSO.1444 or BSOmusic.org.

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