Messiah Reimagined
January 1, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Messiah Reimagined
Handel’s Messiah, Part I plus more! Have you ever wondered why the Epiphany story of the Three Kings was not included in Messiah? Handel might have re-used some of his brilliant arias and choruses from his operas and oratorios. Here’s a chance to hear a new reimagined Messiah with the ARTEK Orchestra and Singers, in our annual New Year’s Day holiday concert. This concert generally sells out in advance, so be sure to reserve your ticket early.
Tickets: $25 – $50 – $75
Purchase tickets from GEMS
Messiah: The Nativity Story
Music: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
Libretto: Charles Jennens (1700-1733)
Overture
Comfort ye my people; Ev’ry valley shall be exalted (Andrew Fuchs, tenor)
And the glory of the Lord (Chorus)
Behold, a virgin shall conceive; O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion (Clifton Massey, countertenor)
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth; The people that walked in darkness (Peter Becker, bass)
For unto us a child is born (Chorus)
Pifa
There were shepherds abiding in the fields (Sarah Chalfy Frei, soprano)
Glory to God in the highest (Chorus)
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Sarah Frei Chalfy Frei, soprano)
Then shall the eyes of the blind; He shall feed his flock (Juli Borst, mezzo-soprano & Jenna Takach, soprano)
His yoke is easy (Chorus)
Messiah: The Epiphany Story
Music: George Frideric Handel, adapted by Gwendolyn Toth
Libretto: Lawrence Rosenwald
Now when Jesus was born (Elisa Sutherland, mezzo-soprano)
Trio: Where is he born, King of the Jews? (Clifton Massey, countertenor; Andrew Fuchs, tenor; Steven Hrycelak, bass)
Then he was very troubled; Bethlem set in Judah’s land [Angels bright and fair] (Elisa Sutherland, mezzo-soprano)
And Herod sent the wise men; Like hunters [Va tacito]; When they had heard the king (Steven Hrycelak, bass; Stephanie Corwin, bassoon)
Sinfonia [The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba]
And lo, the star; Let the bright star above [Let the bright seraphim], And when they came (Christina Kay, soprano; John Theissen, trumpet)
Welcome infant King [Welcome, mighty King] (Chorus)
And being warned in a dream (Christina Kay, soprano)
Sinfonia [Sinfonia to the Occasional Oratorio]
When the days of Mary’s purification; Sweet birds [Sweet bird] (Clara Rottsolk, soprano; David Ross & Fritz Park, flutes)
Behold, there was a man; Come ye, Angels (Waft him, angels]; Moved by the spirit (Richard Pittsinger, tenor)
For mine eyes have seen [De torrente in via] (Clara Rottsolk, soprano; Elisa Sutherland, mezzo-soprano)
Let the celestial concerts (Chorus)
Singers:
Sarah Frei, Christina Kay, Clara Rottsolk, Jenna Takach, sopranos
Juli Borst, Clifton Massey, Elisa Sutherland, altos
Andrew Fuchs, Richard Pittsinger tenors
Peter Becker, Steven Hrycelak, basses
Orchestra:
Cynthia Freivogel, concertmaster
Theresa Salomon, Alyssa Campbell, Ryan Cheng, Peter Kupfer, Francis Liu, Rafa Prendergast, Jeremy Rhizor, violins
Daniel McCarthy, Andrea Andros, Bennett Mahler, violas
Loretta O’Sullivan, continuo cello
Arnie Tanimoto, Nathan Whittaker, cellos
Jessica Powell Eig, double bass
David Ross, Fritz Park, flutes
Stephen Bard, Caroline Giassi, oboes
Stephanie Corwin, bassoon
John Thiessen, Robby Garrison, trumpets
Danny Mallon, timpani
Daniel Swenberg, theorbo
Dongsok Shin, organ & carillon
Gwendolyn Toth, harpsichord & director