Stow – Sounds of Stow Orchestra and Chorus, under the direction of Barbara Jones, will perform Handel's last and most profound oratorio, “Jephtha.”? This 34th Winter Concert will be held Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m., in the Hale School auditorium.
Many listeners know and love Handel's earlier oratorio, “Messiah.”? This later work has all the energy, beauty and poignancy of that familiar masterpiece, in addition to great emotional depth and poignancy.? The dramatic situation involves conflicts between duties – to one's pledge, to one's family, to one's nation.? The characters are fully rendered through dramatic settings of emotions ranging from youthful love, to raging battles, arrogance of power, abject grief and unbounded joy, as the major characters grow through the consequences of their choices, and those around them. The great choruses depict the parting of the Red Sea, and explore the philosophical implications of the dilemmas facing the main characters, in what must be seen as Handel's last thoughts.
The fantastic line-up of soloists includes both new and familiar faces. Soprano Teresa Wakim, Deborah Rentz-Moore, and counter-tenor Reginald Mobley will join audience favorites tenor Richard Monroe, baritone John Whittlesey, and soprano Margot Law.
Tickets are $25 general admission and $20 for seniors and students. Concert tickets are available at Serendipity, 63 Main St., Hudson and Sunrise Boutique, 62 High St., Clinton, as well as at the door.
Introduce your children and grandchildren to classical music by bringing them to the open rehearsal Saturday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m. A donation of $5 per person is requested.
Hale School, located at 55 Hartley Rd., Stow, is fully handicapped accessible. For more information, visit www.soundsofstow.com or call 978-562-0302. Sounds of Stow is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council as administered by the local cultural councils of Stow, Acton-Boxborough, Bolton and Hudson.
