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THE WASHINGTON CHORUS PERFORMS HANDEL'S SACRED ORATORIO ISRAEL IN EGYPT SUNDAY, MAY 17 AT THE NATIONAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Julian Wachner directs Grand Choral Masterpiece Depicting Israeltes' flight from Egypt
The Washington Chorus brings Handel’s emotionally charged Israel in Egypt to the National Presbyterian Church in NW, Washington, DC on Sunday, May 17, at 5 p.m. Music Director Julian Wachner leads Handel’s grand choral oratorio that depicts the great Biblical story of the Israelites’ flight from Egypt. Joining the chorus is New York Baroque, one of NYC’s finest period-instrument ensembles, composed of award-winning young musicians from the finest conservatories and universities throughout the world.
No stranger to this magnificent work, Music Director Julian Wachner, who also serves as the Director of Music and the Arts at New York’s historic Trinity Wall Street, was nominated for a 2013 GRAMMY as Best Choral Performance for his recording of Israel in Egypt with the Choir and Baroque Orchestra of Trinity Wall Street.
Israel in Egypt is composed entirely of selected passages from the Old Testament, mainly from Exodus and the Psalms, and has an overwhelming emphasis on the chorus. Premiered at London’s King’s Theatre on April 4, 1739, Israel in Egypt is one of only two oratorios by Handel with text compiled strictly from Biblical text, the other being Messiah. With its dramatic depiction of the many plagues experienced by the Egyptians through Moses’ parting of the Red Sea and the Israelites passage in safety, as the waters engulf the pursuing Egyptians, Israel in Egypt is a time-honored choral work.
New York Baroque Incorporated (NYBI) brings a vital, informed, and fresh performances of a wide range of 17th and 18th-century repertoire, and creates a vibrant landscape for collaborations between historical performance and living composers. Since its creation, NYBI has received critical praise for its energy, virtuosity and entrepreneurship, and was lauded by The New York Times for its “do-it-yourself spirit.” 2014-15 season highlights include the modern-day premiere of Cavalli’s Veremonda, l’amazzone di Aragona at Spoleto USA Festival. For more information about NYBI, visit www.nybaroque.org.
General admission seating for Israel in Egypt is available in the Nave, Front Nave and Balcony. Tickets ranging from $35-$50 are available at The Washington Chorus at www.thewashingtonchorus.org or by calling (202) 342-6221.
Israel in Egypt
The Washington Chorus
New York Baroque Incorporated
Sunday, May 17, 2015, 5 p.m.
National Presbyterian Church
4101 Nebraska Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
Handel Israel in Egypt