On Friday March 4, 2016, just in time for Easter, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will release their newest recording, two versions of Handel’s Messiah: The Complete Oratorio on 2 CDs with a bonus DVD, and a 60-minute Highlights CD. This beloved musical masterpiece by George Frideric Handel, first performed in the spring of 1742, still attracts audiences around the world.  

We are pleased to announce the featured Messiah recording soloists who come from around the world: Sonya Yoncheva from Bulgaria, Tamara Mumford from the United States, Rolando Villazón from Mexico, and Bryn Terfel from Wales. “We were very fortunate in engaging some of the great singers of our time,” Mack Wilberg, music director stated. “In fact, it’s very much an international cast of singers, not unlike Handel’s day when his own various performances of Messiah featured some of the great singers of his day from continental Europe."
 

Sonya Yoncheva, soprano
Following a string of successful debuts with the world’s leading opera houses, Sonya Yoncheva has established herself as one of her generation’s most promising and exciting performers. Celebrated for her singularly beautiful voice and powerful dramatic style, Miss Yoncheva is equally at home on the concert and recital stage.
 

Photo credit: Gregory Hohenberg
 

Tamara Mumford, mezzo-soprano
Regarded as one of the finest singers of her generation, Tamara Mumford, a native of Sandy, Utah, regularly appears at the Metropolitan Opera where she has sung in over 140 performances. Mumford performed with the Choir in the 2014 Messiah concert, and more recently, the Choir’s Christmas concert last December and this month’s Mahler’s Symphony no. 8 concert.

Photo credit: Dario Acosta
 

Rolando Villazón, tenor
Through his uniquely compelling performances with leading opera companies and orchestras around the world, Rolando Villazón has firmly established himself as one of the music world’s most critically acclaimed and beloved stars, and a leading tenor of our day. Villazón is a regular guest as renowned opera houses and festivals around the world.

Photo credit: Monika Hoefler
 

Bryn Terfel, bass
One of the great voices of our time, Terfel has performed in all the great opera house of the world and is known for his versatility as a concert performer. He and the Choir began a lasting friendship when he performed at the Choir’s 2003 Christmas concert. They have performed together numerous times since and have collaborated on two other albums, Requiem and Homeward Bound.

Photo credit; Brian Tarr
 

Plan to join us by celebrating the Easter season this year with additional Choir Messiah events. Details on our motab.org/messiah website.

Don’t’ forget to upload your video singing your part of Handel’s “Hallelujah” chorus to join our virtual choir. “How to” information is found on virtualchoir.mormon.org.  You have until March 1 to upload your videos.