HANDEL'S MESSIASH CONCERT

8 N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 0 A K S R A T H E AT R E

w w w. a n g e l s w i n g s f o u n d a t i o n . o r g

PA RT I Isaiah's prophecy of salvation Sinfonia (Overture) Comfort ye my people Ev’ry valley shall be exalted And the glory of the Lord The prophecy of Christ's birth Thus saith the Lord But who may abide the day of his coming?

And he shall purify Behold, a virgin shall conceive O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion

Orchestra Tenor Tenor Chorus

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion For unto us a child is born

Baritone Baritone Chorus Baritone Countertenor & Chorus Soprano Chorus

The annunciation to the shepherds There were shepherds abiding in the fields And lo, the angel of the Lord And the angel said unto them And suddenly there was with the angel Glory to God in the highest

Soprano Soprano Soprano Soprano Chorus

PA RT I I Christ's Passion Behold the Lamb of God He was despised and rejected of men Surely he hath borne our griefs and arried our sorrows And with his stripes we are healed All we like sheep have gone astray All they that see him laugh him to scorn He trusted in God

Chorus Countertenor Chorus Chorus Chorus Tenor Chorus

Christ’s Ascension Lift up your heads, O ye gates

Chorus

God's ultimate victory Hallelujah

Chorus

PA RT I I I The promise of eternal life I know that my redeemer liveth Since by man came death

Soprano Chorus

The Day of Judgment Behold, I tell you a mystery The trumpet shall sound

Baritone Baritone

The acclamation of the Messiah Worthy is the lamb that was slain

Chorus

THE

A RT I S T S

COMPOSER

George Friederich Händel Handel was a German, later British, Baroque composer who spent the bulk of his career in London, becoming well known for his operas, oratorios, anthems, concerti grossi and organ concertos.

Handel received important training in Halle and worked as a composer in Hamburg and Italy before settling in London in 1712; he became a naturalised British subject in 1727. He was strongly influenced both by the great composers of the Italian Baroque and by the middle-German polyphonic choral tradition.

He would become a huge influence on classical composers such as Mozart and Beethoven.

Within fifteen years, Handel had started three commercial opera companies to supply the English nobility with Italian opera. Musicologist Winton Dean writes that his operas show that "Handel was not only a great composer; he was a dramatic genius of the first order."

As Alexander's Feast (1736) was well received, Handel made a transition to English choral works. After his success with Messiah (1742) he never composed an Italian opera again.

Almost blind, and having lived in England for nearly fifty years, he died in 1759, a respected and rich man. His funeral was given full state honours, and he was buried in Westminster Abbey in London.

HANDEL’s MESSIAH Messiah is an English oratorio composed by George Friederic Handel. The 259-page original manuscript was miraculously composed in a mere 24 days, from 22nd August 1741 to 14th September 1741, including all orchestration and choral parts. Composed in London during the summer of 1741 and premiered in Dublin, Ireland on 13 April 1742, it was repeatedly revised by Handel, reaching its most familiar version in the performance to benefit the Foundling Hospital in 1754.

Messiah presents an interpretation of the Christian view of the Messiah, or "the anointed one" as Jesus the Christ. The libretto (or text of the oratorio) covers the prophecies concerning the Christ, the birth, miracles, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and finally the end times with the Christ's final victory over death and sin.

C O N D U C TO R

Charunee Hongcharu Associate Professor Charunee Hongcharu is one of the not many female conductors of Thailand Music circle who has a distinguish performance of conducting in the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the 13th Asian Games in Thailand in 1998. She has become more widely known from her conducting of Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 for Thai-Japanese Concert, celebrating the 120th anniversary of the nations’ diplomatic relationships. Besides she has conducted other compositions continually both in Thailand and aboard includings the Great Jubilee Concert, with an audience of 30,000 in 1999.

Hongcharu graduated with a Bachelor of Fine and Applied Arts degree in Music Composition and Flute from Chulalongkorn University and a Master Degree in Music Conducting from Columbia University, NYC. She also attended the Juilliard School of Music and Westminster College for choral conducting during her time in US. Currently, she is an Associate Professor, teaching Musical Theatre, Singing for Theatre, and Speech & Voice at Department of Dramatic Arts, Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. She has been the Music Director of The Bangkok Combined Choir for 14 years.

SOPRANO

One of Monique’s operatic warhorses, the role of “Queen of the Night” in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”which she performed with various opera companies in UK, Italy and Thailand, has been prai sed by “Opera” (UK) magazine: “Monique Klongtruadroke as the Queen of the Night...sang her two showpiece arias with apparently effortless ease.”

In her operatic career, she also created the roles of Queen of Heaven/ Queen of Kashi in the World Premiere of the opera-ballet “Bhuridat” by Somtow Sucharitkul (Opera Siam International), and the female lead The Mother in the World Premiere of the first Thai language Opera “The Lunchbox”

by Thanapoom Sirichang (IHOS Opera-Australia), acclaiming enthusiastic reviews from critics and audience. Other operatic roles include: Rosina (IL Barbiere di Siviglia), Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro), Belinda (Dido and Aeneas), Gasparina (La Canterina), Serafina (Il Campanello), Lucy (The Three Penny Opera), La Charmeuse (Thaïs).

Monique Klongtruadroke Monique Klongtruadroke is a coloratura soprano of Italian/Thai descent. A top graduate from the “Conservatorio di Musica Benedetto Marcello di Venezia” in Italy, her international singing career has taken her to four continents.

In Thailand, she performed as a soloist in prestigious Gala events in the presence of HM King Rama X Maha Vajiralongkorn, of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and of General Prem Tinsulanonda. She was also appointed to sing in various Royal Command Performances, including the historical “Requiem in Memory of H.R.H. Princess Galyani Vadhana” with Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, and the Gala Memorial Concert for the late King Rama IX “Royal Compositions of King Bhumibol Adulyadej” with Pro Musica Orchestra, conducted by Hikotaro Yazaki.

Monique is also in demand for her eclectic sacred music repertoire, ranging from Oratorios and traditional hymns to contemporary gospel. Full Oratorios performances include: Handel’s “Samson”, Mozart’s “Coronation Mass in C”, Bach’s “Magnificat”, Vivaldi’s “Magnificat”, Rutter’s “Requiem”. She was invited to sing at various official ceremonies by the Embassy of Israel, including twice at the “UN International Holocaust Memorial Day” for the United Nations in Thailand, and also for the Embassies of Italy, France, Apostolic Nunciature, Italian Chamber of Commerce. She performed for charitable organizations including “Cancer Research UK”, “Naomi Children Foundation UK”, “BritishUkrainian Aid”, “Gift of Life Foundation- Thailand”, “Camillian Thailand”, “Operation Blessings Thailand”. Along with her sisters Debbie and Karen Klongtruadroke, and with Steinway Artist Nat Yontararak, she co-created the charitable series of concerts “LOVE”, merging different music genres and performing arts into a unique show.

Monique also has an extensive teaching experience of over 10 years, having taught Classical Voice and Italian Diction in Thailand’s top universities such as “Silpakorn” and “ABAC”, and “Shrewsbury International School”. She also conducts lectures, workshops and masterclasses on Opera Singing and on Italian Language & Music.

In UK she collaborated as singer and Italian Language Coach for Longborough Festival Opera, and has ongoing collaborations as associate artist of Barefoot Opera.

She divides her performing and teaching activity between UK, Italy and Thailand

COUNTERTENOR

Potprecha Cholvijarn Potprecha (Jak) Cholvijarn sang in Winchester College Chapel Choir and Bristol Cathedral Choir as a choral scholar. He attended Eton College Choral Course, masterclasses by Michael Chance, and took lessons with Stefan Sanchez and Deborah York.

Based in Bangkok, Thailand, Jak performed as a soloist for Opera Siam (Bangkok Opera), Siam Philharmonic, and Siam Sinfonietta on numerous occasions, notably, in Mozart's Requiem and Coronation Mass, Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Massenet's Thaïs (Myrtale), Rossini's Petite Messe Sollenelle, Haydn's Harmoniemesse, Mahler's Symphony No. 3, Mozart's Zauberflöte (dritte Dame), Cavalli's La Calisto (Endimione), and Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar (Annas). Achan Somtow Sucharitkul cast him as the Buddha (title roles) in six episodes of his Ten Lives of the Buddha (Dasjati ) music drama cycle. He went on the European tour of The Silent Prince performing title role of the opera in Bayreuth, Germany; Prague and Brno, Czech Republic.

Others roles that Achan Somtow created for him include Lord Atsumori in Dan No Ura, and European Singer in Suriyothai.

With Grand Opera (Thailand), he sang in concerts and events organized by The European Union Delegation, British, Swiss, French, Austrian, Spanish and Portuguese embassies in Bangkok and Bangkok St Andrew’s Society, notably, Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee celebration in Bangkok, Austrian National Day Celebrations in Bangkok, Concert in Celebration of the 160th Anniversary of Franco-Thai Diplomatic Relations, Spanish Song and Zarzuela Concert, Swiss Art Song Concerts, Mozart, Schubert and Strauss Concert, Robert Burns Night, and concert to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the circumnavigation of the world.

Colin Kirkpatrick, a British composer, wrote a song cycle for him. Titled 'Kyoto Dreams' and based on English translations of medieval Japanese poems, it received its premiere at Ben's Theatre, Pattaya. Jak also performed for Bangkok International Community Orchestra and Combined Choir (Handel's Messiah and Mozart Requiem in commemoration of HM King Rama IX), and Bangkok Music Society (Chapentier's Missa Assumpta est Maria). He is currently taught by Ann de Renais.

TENOR

Benjamin Dooley Ben Dooley, tenor, has sung many operatic roles that range from Baroque to Contemporary works. His operatic roles include Lurcanio in Ariodante, Don Ottavio in Don Giovanni, Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore, Tamino in Die zaubeflöte, Mr.Ford in Salieri’s Falstaff, Prince charming in Viardot’s Cendrillon, and Edoardo in Rossini’s La cambiale di matrimonio, and principle roles in The Vanishing Bridegroom. He has performed concert arias with Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and The Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Dooley graduated with a Master degree in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University, California where he also did 2.5 years of a post-graduate Artist Certificate Program under the tutelage of Dr.Melanie Galloway.

He is also well versed in pop singing as he has produced three albums in Thailand as the lead singer of Gear Knight and Silent Scream where he received multiple national rewards including Best new group from Seed awards 2006, Best Rock Album of the Year from Season award 2009. His first band, Gearknight also had three songs that made it to the top of the national radio chart. He also participated in the TV show "The Voice Thailand season 6" where he blends his rock and operatic voice and was the first runner up.

He was the chair of the Voice and Theater department at The College of Music, Mahidol University from 2017 to 2019. He now teaches privately and performs in Thailand regularly.

BARITONE

Kittinant Chinsamran Praised by the “San Francisco Chronicle” for his velvety tone, beautiful timbre, and high professionalism, Dr.Kittinant Chinsamran, has established a reputation as one of Thailand’s most versatile singers.

In 2013, he gained national recognition when he went to the final round of The Voice Thailand Season 2. He sings a wide range of repertoire from pop to classical through out Europe, the United States and Asia. He has shared the stage with many internationally well-known artists such as David Foster, Richard Marx, Andrea Bocelli and José Carreras.

On classical concert stage, he has performed as a bass soloist in Bach’s Magnificat, Christmas oratorio and St.John Passion; Handel’s Messiah; Mozart, Faure and Verdi’s Requiem; Haydn’s The Creation; Beethoven’s Symphony No.9; Mahler’s Symphony No.8; and Bloch’s Sacred Service. Likewise, his operatic roles include Papageno (The Magic Flute), Argante (Rinaldo), Uberto (La serva padrona), La Notte and Ipparco (L’Egisto), Tancredi (Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda), Mandarin (Turandot) Father (Hansel and Gretel), and Theseus (A Midsummer Night’s Dream).

In addition to his very active performing schedule, Dr.Chinsamran is equally in demand as a voice teacher, mentoring people who share the same passion in singing to improve their vocal skills in various musical styles. He worked as a vocal technician and a vocal coach at the San Francisco School of the Arts, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Extension Divisions, Conservatory of Music, Rangsit University, and Ratchadalai Theatre. Presently, he is the lecturer in voice at Department of Western Music, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University.

Messiah has become his most loved classical repertoire after he won the San Francisco Sinfonietta’s Messiah Competition in 2007. It is always a great joy to sing this musical masterpiece to praise the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Hallelujah!

The Bangkok Combined Choir & Orchestra (BCCO) is the aggregation of The Bangkok Combined Choir, an international choir which was inaugurated in 1954 by Mrs Mary Chaffee, and The Bangkok International Community Orchestra (BICO) which was established

by Rear Admiral Veeraphan Vawklang, Thailand's national artist and Charunee Hongcharu, The Bangkok Combined Choir's Music Director and Conductor.

BCCO aims to provide an opportunity for professional and amateur music enthusiasts to sing and play music collectively as an artistic community regardless of nationality, religion, or age. We are building a guild of musical artist where everyone could join to follow the passion for music and to develop their skills through world famous repertoire by learning, practicing, and perform together.

This year our community members came from 11 countries which are France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Philipines, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, UK, and the USA.

CHOIR

Bangkok Combined Choir

SOPRANO Anne E. Gregory Apinya Sattayanond Arunee C. Yothapitak Bua-paradscha Patrapianant Chor.Natthanee Petpaisit Frances Mcgenn Kitiya Rujimongkon Orapun Chotseripun Ponsury Saksin-Udom Upsorn Tawilapakul Yaowadee Worapakorn Zion Daoratanahong ALTO Chikako Iguchi Janpen Thanakitgosate Jennifer Alvarez Maethinee Sakhakorn Patcharin Kiatnantavimon Sajika Tubtim Sharon L. Bryant Woratida Pantupong TENOR Anukul Jirawattanadej Chakapan Tanthasuwanna Imamura Tomoaki Nattapong Kunlaset Okechukwu Okafor Pat Yodmanee Visuttipol Chantaphakul Wichit Wongsansern BASS Anuwat Siripanya Arthid Sheravanichkul Doungnet Deekaew Goran Ehren Joerg Ayrle Morris Kpel Roberts Raphael Ayrle Suparat Taengchaiyaphum Witsanu Ruchiphong

ORCHESTRA

Bangkok International Community Orchestra (BICO)

CONCERT MASTER Natcha Ariyaprakai VIOLIN I Natcha Ariyaprakai Francois Gras Kaoru Sawada Pongsakorn Maneerassayakorn Yoko Sawada VIOLIN II Tanakorn Chanitwongse Apichaya Taveechokrieangrai Hiromu Sawada Pornpawee Kijkarncharoensin VIOLA Nawin Ampremsilp Chananya Majjimanonda Theerasit Sae-lim CELLO Hyunjoo Shin Andrew Healey Patanin Thidwilat DOUBLE BASS Siripong Sirirattanawong OBOE Kittipon Sanboonruang Sansiri Sankul BASSOON Thongchai Madhurapornpipat TRUMPET Nitiphum Bamrungbanthum Pravis Ritnarong TIMPANI Chinnapat Charoenrat ORGAN Ekarach Chowitayangkul HARPSICHORD Alberto Firrincieli

Acknowledgements The Bangkok Combined Choir & Orchestra would like to thank to the following organizations and individuals for their generous support to this concert.

Angels Wings Foundation Maximage Co., Ltd. Food & Drink Public Co., Ltd Hon Chuan FD Packaging Co. Ltd. Paul Mana Co.,Ltd. Bangkok Christian Hospital Namchow (Thailand) Ltd. Radicon Co., Ltd. Thaiyarnyon K.H.T. Central Supply Co., Ltd. Wattana Wittaya Academy Evangelical Church of Bangkok Grace Auditorium Rev. David King Jaruvan Maintaka Johnny C. Wong Kasem Deemaitree Joerg & Katharina Ayrle Chin-Yun Kong Juei-Heng Chia Ksemsan Suwarnarat Metha Trillit Richard Leex Shine-Hsiung Hwaung Tina Chiang Rev.Anne E.Gregory Sharon L. Bryant Yun Chu Sun Huai Hsin Lee Huai Hui Lee Upsorn Tawilapakul Worawich Deemaitree Goran Ehren

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