Today the Messiah is performed most often in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but when Handel first wrote the Messiah in the early 1740s, it was originally performed in the Spring during the season of Lent. Operas were not performed during the sober season of Lent, but oratorios were a dramatic entertainment alternative. The Bach Parley performs on period instruments – harpsichord and baroque style stringed instruments with gut strings, and especially for this concert, baroque trumpets and early-style timpani.

Now in her 12th year leading the Bach Parley, this concert is a dream come true for music director and violinist Valerie Arsenault. “I love the entire Messiah, all three parts, and for years I have been longing to bring the Bach Parley’s signature approach to this enduring masterpiece.” Because the complete Messiah runs close to three hours, the Parley will perform Part II only, focusing on the action-filled scenes of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. Although the libretto by Charles Jennens is drawn directly from scripture, the Messiah was never meant to be part of religious service — it was meant to entertain, delight and inspire the audience.

The regular Bach Parley players will join with a host of period instrument guest artists including violinists, Shawn Pagliarini (Atlanta, GA), and Gesa Kordes (Tuscaloosa, AL), as well as FSU students Alexandra Huryn and Deborah Olivier. Other familiar faces are violists Melissa Brewer and Brian Arsenault, cellist Kim Jones, bassist Christian Marshall, and harpsichordist Charles Brewer.

Guest artists Shelby Lewis (Baton Rouge, LA), and Chris Carrillo (Washington, DC) will play baroque trumpets and will be featured on the Rittler Ciaconna for two trumpets and strings at the beginning of the concert. For the grand finale, Arsenault says, “We are thrilled that FSU College of Music percussion professor John Parks will play newly refurbished early-style timpani along with the trumpets to put the crowning touch on the Hallelujah Chorus.”

The five solo singers, Anna Marie Friars, Lily Guerrero Sarah Eyerly, John Martin, and Levi Gerke, are drawn from 12-voice Bach Parley Chamber Singers.

The concert will be at 3PM on Sunday, February 9 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 211 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee. At all Sunday Tallahassee Bach Parley concerts this season, patrons will receive an insert in their programs with a discount coupon to use after the concert at participating downtown area restaurants. A $10 donation is suggested, and free childcare will be available.

For additional information please visit www.bachparley.org.