Trinity Church Wall Street Announces 2023 Holiday Concerts

December 6, 2023
Handel's Messiah concert in Trinity Church, 2022

Trinity Church Wall Street’s critically acclaimed production of Handel’s Messiah returns December 13-15

Additional concerts include Trinity’s Sing, Choir of Angels: Holiday Concert and Sing-AlongSpecial Compline by CandlelightEl Niño: Nativity Reconsidered and A Ceremony of Carols

NEW YORK, December 6, 2023 - Trinity Church Wall Street today announced its 2023 holiday concert offerings featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Youth Chorus. This year’s performances include the church’s beloved production of Handel’s Messiah and Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. The Choir of Trinity Wall Street joins the presentation of newer works with the American Modern Opera Company's (AMOC) production of El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

On December 13-15, globally lauded guest conductor Ryan Brandau will lead The Choir of Trinity Wall Street and Trinity Baroque Orchestra in the church’s production of Handel’s Messiah.

Trinity Church has a rich history hosting Messiah, including one of the oratorio’s first North American performances in 1770. Trinity’s Messiah has become a beloved New York tradition, offering what The New York Times called a  “transcendent and awe-inspiring” musical experience. Trinity is also making it easier than ever for our community abroad to attend Messiah by streaming Thursday’s performance on YouTube and the Trinity website.

On December 17, Trinity will present two special performances. At 3pm Trinity hosts its annual holiday sing-along concert, Sing, Choirs of Angels, including Christmas carols and other festive works featuring The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Trinity Youth Chorus, St. Paul’s Chapel Choir, Downtown Voices, NOVUS NY Brass, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College Downtown Chorus. At 8pm Trinity hosts a Special Compline by Candlelight curated by Timothy Parsons. The program will feature works by Piers Connor Kennedy, Judith Weir, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, and Jonathan Woody and will be performed by The Choir of Trinity Wall Street. Both events will be streamed on the Trinity website.

On December 21 at 7:30pm The Choir of Trinity Wall Street joins the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine's presentation of El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered with music by John Adams, musical arrangement by Christian Reif, libretto compilation by Peter Sellars, and concept by AMOC member Julia Bullock. The production celebrates Latin American poets and the voices of women. 

On December 22 at 6pm Trinity concludes its holiday performance season with Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols at St. Paul’s Chapel. The performance will showcase the Trinity Youth Chorus led by Melissa Attebury, who was recently named Trinity's new Director of Music, beginning in the 2024-25 season. The performance will also be available via livestream.

About Music at Trinity Church Wall Street:
Trinity Church Wall Street’s groundbreaking music program– “the top of musical life in New York” (The New York Times)– has changed the landscape of performing arts in New York City, re-envisioning the impact arts organizations can have, with its peerless ensembles, uniquely broad range of expertise from early to new music performance, long tradition of championing underrepresented composers, and extensive and growing discography.

About Trinity Church Wall Street:
Trinity Church Wall Street is a vibrant and growing Episcopal parish of more than 1,600 members. Over the past 325 years, Trinity has been guided by its mission to share God’s love for all people. Trinity’s programs seek to offer shared encounters with the holy, to cultivate compassion, to deepen knowledge and spiritual practices, to work for justice rooted in essential human dignity, to provide places of solace and healing, and to inspire a desire in all people to be conscientious contributors to the life of New York City and the world. More than 20 worship services are offered every week online and at historic Trinity Church and St. Paul’s Chapel, the cornerstones of the parish’s community life, worship, and mission.

 

Listing Information:

All performances are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

George Frideric Handel Messiah, HWV 56
December 13-15, 7pm in Trinity Church
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; Trinity Baroque Orchestra; Ryan Brandau, guest conductor
December 14 performance Livestreamed on Trinity's website and on YouTube

Sing, Choirs of Angels: Holiday Concert and Sing-Along
December 17, 3pm in Trinity Church
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; Trinity Youth Chorus; St. Paul’s Chapel Choir; Downtown Voices; The Choirs from BMCC; NOVUS NY Brass
Free, Livestream Available - More Info

Special Compline by Candlelight
December 17, 8pm in St. Paul’s Chapel
Works by Piers Connor Kennedy, Judith Weir, Jonathan Woody, Herbert Howells, Jan Sandström, Hannah Kendall
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; curated and led by Timothy Parsons
Free, Livestream Available - More Info

El Niño: Nativity Reconsidered
December 21, 7:30pm at St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street, New York, NY
American Modern Opera Company
Julia Bullock, soprano; Jasmin White, contralto; Davone Tines, baritone; Anthony Roth Costanzo, countertenor; The Choir of Trinity Wall Street; Christian Reif, conductor
Ticketed - More Info

Benjamin Britten A Ceremony of Carols
December 22, 6pm in St. Paul’s Chapel
Trinity Youth Chorus; Melissa Attebury, director
Free, Livestream Available - More Info