Maestro Thierry Fischer conducts the Utah Symphony in a
beloved Utah holiday tradition, Handel’s “Messiah” Sing-In, as the Utah Symphony Chorus and Utah
Opera resident artists join with the 2,000-voice audience chorus at Abravanel Hall November 30 and
December 1.
On Sat. Nov. 30 only, volunteers from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will be seated with members of the
audience in the hall and lend their voices to the incredible chorus. In addition, around 75 singers from the
University of Utah will sing from their seats among the audience on Sun. Dec. 1. On both evenings, Utah
Opera Resident Artists will be featured soloists who share the stage with the orchestra and the Utah
Symphony Chorus, prepared by Symphony Chorus Director Barlow Bradford.
“Handel’s Messiah is a masterpiece that is truly inspiring,” said Maestro Thierry Fischer, “I look forward to
this great occasion when we join together as orchestra, chorus and audience members to perform such a
magnificent work.”
George Frideric Handel completed the score during a 24-day fury in the late summer of 1741 and by the
reactions of the Irish press during the rehearsals and 1742 Dublin premiere, it was clear that the
quickness of its creation did not speak to a lack of assured quality or effectiveness.
The practice of standing for the “Hallelujah” Chorus comes from a convenient, if completely speculative
legend. No one really knows for sure whether or not King George II stood for it in 1743, making it
necessary for all of his subjects to stand too and inadvertently setting a precedent. In fact, no one knows
for sure whether or not he was even at the performance. His reportedly spontaneous show of emotion
persists regardless. It is also interesting to note that, contrary to modern convention, Handel clearly
intended “Messiah” for the Easter observances rather than Christmas and the performances during his
day were always given in the spring.
RELATED EVENTS
The “Messiah” Sing-In marks the first event hosted by Utah Symphony Opera Latinos (SOL), a group
dedicated towards connecting Latino families in the Salt Lake City community through great live music.
Join Utah SOL for the “Messiah” Sing in on November 30th at 7pm. After the performance the group will
enjoy the lights at Temple Square. Call for special priced tickets of $10.00 per ticket. Utah SOL will have
a block of tickets reserved for the performance.
Call Shawn at 801-869-9046 for tickets or performance information.
TICKET INFORMATION
Single tickets for the performance start at $10 and can be purchased by phone at (801) 355-2787, in
person at the Abravanel Hall ticket office (123 W. South Temple) or online by visiting
www.utahsymphony.org. Those desiring group discounts should call (801) 869-9046. All ticket prices are
subject to change and availability, and will increase $5 when purchased on the day of the performance.
GUEST ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
About Abigail Levis, Lyric Mezzo Soprano
Named "Debut Artist of the Year" by the Joy in Singing Foundation, lyric mezzo-soprano Abigail Levis is
emerging as one of the most exciting young singers of today. The “Boston Musical Intelligencer” praised
her for her “dramatic style” and “high level of technical ability” in her performance in “Israel in Egypt” with the Handel and Haydn Society in Symphony Hall. She is a recent graduate of the Vocal Arts program at
the Bard College Conservatory where she studied with Edith Bers and Dawn Upshaw. Ms. Levis has
appeared as a soloist with the American Symphony Orchestra, Ars Lyrica Houston, and the New York
Opera Exchange in addition to the Handel and Haydn Society. She is also the winner of several
competitions, including the 2012 Classical Singer Competition, the 2012 Oratorio Society of New York
Competition (second place), a 2012 Schuyler Grant, the 2011 Five Towns Music Competition in Long
Island, the 2011 Young Texas Artist competition, the 2010 University of Houston Concerto Competition,
the 2010 National Orpheus Vocal Competition. She is currently a Young Artist with Utah Opera.
About Tyson Miller, Tenor
Tenor Tyson Miller joins the 2013-2014 Utah Opera Resident Artist Program to perform the roles of Des
Grieux in “Fatal Song” and Gastone in “La Traviata”. His recent performances include Bob Boles in “Peter
Grimes” and the Governor in “Candide” at the Aspen Music Festival, preceded by his Lone Star Lyric
Opera debut singing Dorvil in “La scala di seta” and Florville in “Il signor Bruschino”. Holding a Master of
Music degree from Rice University, Mr. Miller was a studio artist with Central City opera and has
appeared at the CoOperative Opera Program. In 2009, Mr. Miller was awarded the Encouragement
award at the Southwest Region Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and in 2010 was granted
the Baylor University Thomas Stewart Award for Vocal Excellence. Additional appearances include
Ferrando in “Così fan tutte”, Alfred in “Die Fledermaus”, the Stage Manager in “Our Town”, and Mayor
Upfold in “Albert Herring”.
About Amy Owens, Soprano
Soprano Amy Owens, a native of Brookfield, Wisconsin, has performed throughout North America and
Europe in theater and recital settings. Operatic roles include Adele in “Die Fledermaus”, Despina in “Così
fan tutte”, Drusilla in “L’Incoronazione di Poppea”, Zerlina in “Don Giovanni”, and Olympia in “Les contes
d'Hoffmann”. She has performed with Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, and Utah Festival Opera. She
earned a Master’s in Music from Rice University and Bachelor’s from Brigham Young University. As a
Utah Opera Resident Artist, Amy sang Papagena in “The Magic Flute” and covered Rosalba in “Florencia
en el Amazonas”. For Utah Opera this season, Amy will sing Annina in “La Traviata” and Blonde in “The
Abduction from the Seraglio”.
About Shea Owens, Baritone
Baritone Shea Owens, from Scottsdale, Arizona, is thrilled to be returning to Utah Opera as a Resident
Artist. He recently performed as an Apprentice Artist with Central City Opera in the mountains of
Colorado. Mr. Owens has performed as a young artist with The Tanglewood Music Center, Wolf Trap
Opera, and Utah Festival Opera, and has made appearances with Utah Lyric Opera and Phoenix Opera.
Operatic roles include the title role in “Don Giovanni”, Papageno (“Die Zauberflöte”), Don Alfonso (“Così
fan tutte”), Eisenstein (“Die Fledermaus”), and the Villain roles in “Les contes d'Hoffmann”. Mr. Owens
earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University and his Master of Music degree
from Rice University. He enjoys performing on a regular basis with his wife, soprano Amy Owens.
Program
The Utah Symphony presents
Handel’s Messiah Sing-In
Abravanel Hall, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah
Saturday November 30, 2013, 7:00 PM / Sunday December 1, 2013, 7:00 PM
