FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale present rarely performed Handel Oratorio Joshua
CONTACT:
Dianne Provenzano
Marketing & Communications Director
press@philharmonia.org
(415) 252-1288 x 315
SAN FRANCISCO – BERKELEY – PALO ALTO – LAFAYETTE
November 1, 2016, San Francisco – Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale will present George Frideric Handel’s rarely performed oratorio “Joshua” throughout the Bay Area this December 1-4.
PBO sees it as essential to regularly include rarely performed Handel oratorios in its programming. Nicholas McGegan, a Baroque music scholar, is an adept interpreter of Handel oratorios and the Orchestra has performed eighteen of them to date including other rarities such as “Semele,” “Jephtha,” “Belshazzar,” and “Athalia.”
Chorale Director and PBO Scholar-in-Residence Bruce Lamott says, “Though rarely performed today, “Joshua” was popular with audiences long after his death. Its chorus “See, the conquering hero” became one of Handel’s most memorable tunes. The orchestration is one of Handel’s most colorful, as well, with both trumpets and horns, flutes and oboes. “Joshua” features powerful and expressive choruses voicing the triumphs and emotions of the post-exodus Israelites.”
Guest artists for this program include tenor Thomas Cooley as Joshua, countertenor Daniel Taylor as Othniel, baritone William Berger as Caleb, soprano Yulia Van Doren, as Achsah and soprano Gabrielle Haigh with 24 voices from the Philharmonia Chorale, directed by Bruce Lamott, performing the chorus roles.
See Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale perform Handel’s “Joshua” throughout the Bay Area December 1–4. Programs take place Thursday, December 1 at 7 pm at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco; Friday, December 2 at 7:30 pm at First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto; Saturday, December 3 at 7:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Berkeley; and Sunday, December 4 at 4:00 pm at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church in Lafayette. Tickets for the Berkeley and Lafayette concerts will only be available at the door on the day of the performances.
Tickets range from $27 to $108. For more information about this and other Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale concerts, visit philharmonia.org. For tickets, visit cityboxoffice.com or call 415-392-4400.
These concerts are the third set in a series of six regular 2016-17 season concerts that take place throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Program Notes for Handel’s Joshua by PBO Scholar in Resident Bruce Lamott Here.
Classical KDFC is the radio home of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale. KDFC broadcasts an unreleased live Philharmonia concert recording the second Sunday of every month from 8-9 PM.
CALENDAR EDITORS, PLEASE NOTE:
WHO:
Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale
(Chorale performing)
PHOTOGRAPHY: (Click to download)
WHAT: Concert Performance
HANDEL Joshua
Nicholas McGegan, conductor
Thomas Cooley, tenor Joshua, Leader of the Israelites
Daniel Taylor, countertenor Othiniel, a young warrior, promised to Achsah
William Berger, baritone Caleb
Yulia Van Doren, soprano Achsah, Daughter of Caleb
Gabrielle Haigh, soprano Angel
Philharmonia Chorale, Chorus of Israelites, Chorus of the defeated
Bruce Lamott, director Israelites, Chorus of the Tribe, Chorus of the Youths, Chorus of the Virgins
PRICE: Range from $27 to $108.
TICKETS: Available at City Box Office 415-392-4400 or cityboxoffice.com for the San Francisco and Palo Alto concerts. Tickets available at the door for Berkeley and Lafayette concerts.
WHEN/WHERE:
Thursday, December 1, 7:00 pm
Herbst Theatre, San Francisco
Friday, December 2, 7:30 pm
First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto
Saturday, December 3, 7:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church, Berkeley
Sunday, December 4, 4:00 pm
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, Lafayette
Short Description:
Nicholas McGegan and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale present George Friderik Handel’s rarely performed oratorio “Joshua” throughout the Bay Area December 1-4. Featuring tenor Thomas Cooley as Joshua and Yulia van Doren at Achsah, come hear the trumpets sound and see the conquering hero as he leads Israelites enter the promised land.
