Bows were taken and the curtain drawn after the last of three performances of HandelSA国际影视传媒檚 Messiah concluded Saturday evening at the Northern Arts and Cultural Centre (NACC).

In an epic display of vocals and instruments, the Aurora Chorealis choir united with soloists and a chamber orchestra to fill the stage and present one of the seasonSA国际影视传媒檚 best known and well-loved classics.

During the reception after the concert, the performers were energized and happy with the audience support during each of their performances.

Margo Nightingale, choir director for the performances, said the energy given off by the 100 people on stage was SA国际影视传媒渘ourishment.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 this sort of flow between us that just keeps us all connected and itSA国际影视传媒檚 actually quite lovely,SA国际影视传媒� Nightingale said. SA国际影视传媒淭he connection that occurs between singers and the conductor is a very real, very important part of this process.SA国际影视传媒�

The range of emotions and the intensity emanating from the many choruses that comprise the Messiah performance also added to the overall experience, she said.

Choir member Valery Braden said Saturday eveningSA国际影视传媒檚 performance had special guest GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Elder Margaret Nazon present, as they used one of her beaded nighttime sky pieces in imagery to advertise the concert.

SA国际影视传媒淪he came down from Tsiigehtchic to see the show,SA国际影视传媒� Braden said.

Solos in the spotlight

The performance began with the orchestra, then the soloists and choir introduced different aspects of the Messiah story in three parts, said Braden.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 an amazing work,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

One of the soloists during the performance was Claire Singer of Yellowknife, who said HandelSA国际影视传媒檚 Messiah is SA国际影视传媒渜uintessentially Christmas,SA国际影视传媒� and she was happy to see so many people attend the performances.

Singer sang the solo piece SA国际影视传媒榃hy Do the Nations So Furiously Rage TogetherSA国际影视传媒� during the performance.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is actually like normally a bass solo, but I sang it as a soprano and it was so much fun to learn,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 learned the Messiah when I was in university, when I was in my 20s, so this is the first time I performed it in about 20 years and itSA国际影视传媒檚 just been such a pleasure to be back on stage.SA国际影视传媒�

Oliver Munar, a guest tenor who hails from Calgary, said singing the Messiah was a wonderful experience for him and he was happy to be revisiting Yellowknife for the opportunity to perform on stage.

SA国际影视传媒淎nd so to be able to come back here this week was a real gift. It was wonderful to reconnect with so many wonderful friends and to collaborate on this beautiful music,SA国际影视传媒� Munar said.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou know, telling the story of the Messiah is one thing, but to be supported by such wonderful, passionate musicians that have a vested interest in telling the story is really the biggest gift, with so many friends in the choir and being led by Margo.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was just a joyful experience.SA国际影视传媒�

Finely tuned

Another special guest at the performance was MacEwan University Conservatory of Music violinist Dr. Vladimir Rufino of Alberta, who plays regularly with various orchestras, including the Vaughan String Quartet, with whom heSA国际影视传媒檚 currently touring in Canada.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was working with a choir of amazing musicians. It was a week of wonderful music-making and it was a unique experience,SA国际影视传媒� Rufino said.

Musician Kay Sibbeston of Yellowknife said it was her first time performing the Messiah.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was very daunting at first. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of music to learn, but once we kind of started plucking away at it, itSA国际影视传媒檚 very interesting, and in the end, it was very rewarding to be able to pull it off. I had a lot of fun with it,SA国际影视传媒� Sibbeston said.

The entire performance was very much a team effort, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 think any of us could have really done it if we didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have other people to lean on, which is one of the great things about being in a choir SA国际影视传媒� that is if youSA国际影视传媒檙e not so strong at one part, you have a whole bunch of people who can help you out with it.SA国际影视传媒�

Former Yellowknifer Katy Harmer, now a Winnipeg resident, performed a solo and said she, too, found it to be SA国际影视传媒渟uch a joyful experience.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚t was just worked out so nicely for me in my musical life. ISA国际影视传媒檓 a choir conductor, and usually a choir singer and usually among everybody, so this is a new thing for me to be a soloist, but I really enjoyed it,SA国际影视传媒� Harmer said.