Handel's "Israel in Egypt" at Norwalk Concert Hall Oct. 24

Though not his best-known oratorio, “Israel in Egypt” was reputedly the composer’s favorite.

It will be performed on Saturday, October 24, at 8:00 p.m. at the Norwalk Concert Hall, 125 East Avenue in Norwalk.

The concert features The Sebastians, a New York City-based ensemble playing period instruments. The New York Times calls them “the city’s leading young early-music ensemble.”

“Israel in Egypt” is presented free of charge as a gift to the community. It is a joint project of the Unitarian Church in Westport (Special Projects Choir) and Music on the Hill (Festival Chorus).

Edward Thompson, active composer and Minister of Music at the Unitarian Church, conducts.

About “Israel in Egypt”

Thompson describes “Israel in Egypt” as some of Handel’s “best, most skillful, most imaginative writing ever.”

The oratorio makes use of biblical text to present the epic story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (the Exodus). Handel includes all manner of plagues visited by Got upon the Egyptians -- from frogs and flies to “a thick darkness” that “smote all the first-born of Egypt” -- culminating in the freeing of the Israelites and the dramatic crossing of the Red Sea. The music mirrors the events described in spectacular fashion.

Handel writes with an eye towards the monumental, in keeping with the scale of the story being told. He calls for a double chorus and, in the orchestration, three trombones. “Handel never uses three trombones in an oratorio, ” says Thompson.

About the Conductor

Edward Thompson is an active composer, conductor, and accompanist. His original compositions have been heard in concert halls, synagogues and churches, including the Vatican, and have been performed by the American Chamber Orchestra, the St. James Chamber Choir in Stockholm, and, locally, by the Mendelssohn Choir of Connecticut, the Fairfield County Chorale, and Music on the Hill ensembles, among others.

His most recent work, for organ, was commissioned for the 200th anniversary of the Three Churches on New Haven Green. It will be premiered on Sunday, October 18, at 4:00 p.m. in a free concert to be held in the United Church Meeting House in New Haven.

Thompson has concertized throughout the U.S. and Europe, including Carnegie Hall. He holds a master’s degree from The Juilliard School and a doctorate from the University of Hartford.

About Music on the Hill

Music on the Hill is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to high-quality music education and performance for all ages. Under the leadership of its artistic directors, David H. Connell, D.M.A., and Ellen Dickinson, M.M., Music on the Hill offers workshops as well as concerts by four performing ensembles -- the Jubilate Ringers handbell choir, Summer Chorus, Festival Chorus, and Chamber Chorus.

Learn about Music on the Hill and join its mailing list by visiting www.musiconthehillCT.org.