Messiah 2008

James Ogle, conductor, returns to New Bern for the 26th performance of George Friderich Handel’s Messiah on Monday, December 15, 7:30 p.m., with an open rehearsal that day at 3 p.m.

Tickets go on sale to the public beginning Tuesday, November 18, at the Bank of the Arts and Fuller Music. Prices are $15 for the open rehearsal and $20 for the performance.

For those wishing to join the Chorus, rehearsals begin Monday, November 3, in the Sanctuary of Centenary United Methodist Church, 309 New Street, New Bern, and continue on Monday evenings until the performance. There are no auditions, but singers need to provide their own G.
Schirmer score, available at Fuller Music on Trent Road.

Begun in 1981, the Messiah performances feature a 130-member chorus from the surrounding area, including Beaufort, Craven, Carteret, Pamlico, Jones, and Wayne counties. The orchestra accompanying the singers is composed of members of the North Carolina Symphony, many of whom have returned to New Bern each year for this occasion. The Craven Messiah Chorus was founded by Centenary United Methodist Church, Christ Episcopal Church, First Baptist
Church, and First Presbyterian Church.

For more information, call Pat Rowlett at First Presbyterian Church, 252-637-3270.