The highlight of the Bach and Handel Chorale's Fall Concert season is the chorale's performance of George Frideric Handel's sacred oratorio "Messiah," at 3 p.m. Dec. 17 at the historic Mauch Chunk Opera House, 14 W. Broadway in Jim Thorpe.

Joining the chorale is a Festival Orchestra and guest soloists, all of whom have sung with the chorale in previous concerts.Heidi Hayes sings soprano and Jennifer Brown-Laubach contralto. Singing tenor is Jeffrey Dinsmore, while Richard Johnson sings bass."Messiah" is probably Handel's best known work and a tradition of Christmastime programs, although it was not well known until late in his life. Handel was born and trained in Germany, honed his mastery of every musical genre later while in Italy.He eventually settled in England and for nearly five decades assimilated English operas and oratorios into his cosmopolitan and versatile Baroque musical style."Messiah" reflects Handel's abilities as a consummate operatic composer.The libretto was designed by Charles Jennens (1700-73) who selected from the Old and New Testament with utmost care. Jennens was a literary scholar educated at Balliol College, Oxford, but he did not achieve broad recognition as he declined to be a part of the tumultuous political climate of the time.He was able to live in some comfort, however, and devoted his time to artistic pursuits.When he was 30, Jennens met Handel and became a life-long admirer and supporter of his music. In fact, before writing the libretto for "Messiah," he provided the texts for a number of Handel's works."Messiah," like an opera, is divided into three acts, each with several scenes. Act I is the prophecy of Salvation and the coming of the Messiah. The chorus "For Unto Us a Child Is Born," brings the joy of the Baby's birth. Act II tells of the redemptive sacrifice as in the chorus "Surely He Hath Borne Our Griefs."Act III gives us the promise of resurrection and redemption ending gloriously in the great Amen from "Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain."For tickets or for more information about the chorale or restaurant vouchers visit

http://www.mauchchunkoperahouse.com.