By Mabel Pais

Members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra with the Montclair State University Singers and a quartet of vocal soloists performed Handel’s Messiah December 15 and 17 in Princeton and Newark, respectively.

Music Director Xian Zhang conducted Handel’s masterwork—a Christmastime tradition in concert halls across the world.

Soprano Erin Wall, mezzo-soprano Nancy Moultsby, tenor Miles Mykkanen and bass-baritone Michael Sumuel joined the Orchestra and choir.

The Star-Ledger has praised the NJSO’s performances of the masterwork with the Montclair State University Singers, writing that the choir “sounded stunningly professional under the direction of Heather J. Buchanan” and praising the Orchestra for “an elegant, heartfelt performance … Together, orchestra, chorus, conductor and soloists brought out the work’s many shades, and delivered that one particular seasonal requirement, a rousing ‘Hallelujah.’”

The Orchestra invited the audience to participate in the centuries-old tradition of standing at the beginning of the Messiah’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

(Mabel Pais is a freelance writer.  She writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Health and Wellness, and Spirituality)