The Clarion University Music Department will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the death of George Fridiric Handel (1685-1759) by presenting his most well-known oratorio "Messiah" in Marwick-Boyd Auditorium, Saturday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is free and open to the public.

            The Clarion University Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Henry A. Alviani, associate professor of music; the Clarion University Community Symphony Orchestra, directed by Russell Reefer; and members of the Clarion University Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. Hubert Toney, Jr., associate professor of music, will perform the traditional "Christmas portion" of the work. Soloists will include sopranos Danielle Watt and Melissa Lang, altos Lynnea Fiorentino and Jennifer Tame, tenors Ross Bish and Stephen Benton, and basses Seth Robertson, John Arthur Alston, and Kyle Hart.  Alviani will serve as conductor.  
             The oratorio, which Handel composed in a three-week span in 1741 and premiered in the Musick Hall in Dublin, Ireland, on April 13, 1742, before a crowd of nearly 700, was intended as an Easter offering and is divided into three sections. The first tells of the prophecy and birth of Jesus, the second exalts His sacrifice for mankind, and the third heralds His Resurrection.

            The first portion that is traditionally performed during the Christmas season includes six choruses: "And the Glory of the Lord shall be revealed," "And he shall purify the sons of Levi," "O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion," "For unto us a Child is born," "Glory to God in the highest," and "His yoke is easy and His burthen is light." There are also nine recitatives and seven airs, all of which will be performed by soloists, and an overture and the "Pastoral Symphony" performed by the orchestra. As part of this traditional performance, the concert will conclude with the last chorus of the second section, the famous "Hallelujah" chorus.

            Watt, a sophomore music education major, is is a daughter of Frank and Barbara Watt of Kittanning and is a graduate of Elderton High School.

            Lang, a freshman liberal studies major, is a daughter of David and Nancy Lang of Harmony and is a graduate of Seneca Valley High School.

            Fiorentino, a senior music education major, is a daughter of Dan Fiorentino of North Apollo and is a graduate of Apollo-Ridge High School.

            Tame, a sophomore music education major, is a daughter of Floyd and Sherrie Tame of Rochester and is a graduate of Rochester High School.

            Bish, a junior music education major, is a son of Lisa Ferguson of Ridgway and is a graduate of Ridgway High School.

            Benton, a sophomore music education major, is a son of Scott and Beth Benton of Allison Park and is a graduate of Hampton High School.

            Robertson, a sophomore computer science major, is a son of Ken Robertson of Canton and is a graduate of Canton High School.

            Alston, a graduate student seeking a master's degree in library science, is a son of John Alston Jr. Plainfield, N.J.

            Hart, a sophomore music education major, is a son of Kristie Hart of Everett and is a graduate of Everett High School.

             Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.