Singing Groups Prepare To Perform Handel’s Israel In Egypt

For Executive Director of The Choral Society of the Hamptons David Brandenberg, hearing rare classical music performances is a treat.

The Choral Society of the Hamptons, The Greenwich Village Singers and The South Fork Chamber Orchestra will be collaborating with to perform Composer George Frideric Handel’s Israel in Egypt and J.S. Bach’s Cantata 79 on June 29th at Parish Hall at The Most Holy Trinity Church in East Hampton. The performance will include 100 musicians. Part of the 100 includes Soprano Sara Paar, Mezzo-soprano Suzanne Schwing and baritone Mischa Bouvier.

“It’s similar to when someone says lets go out to the movies versus when they watch a DVD,” Brandenberg said. “There is something about a communal experience of hearing performances live that is a special.”

Brandenberg says that the audience can expect great performances that they could not experience by listening to a record and to be moved by the story of the piece. Handel’s Israel in Egypt is his second most famous work after Messiah.

The Choral Society of the Hamptons frequently works with The Greenwich Village Singers because they share Mark Mangini, their music director. The Choral Society usually performs at least once a year with The South Fork Chamber Orchestra.

To prepare for the show, The Choral Society of the Hamptons practices once a week for two and a half hours at a time for 10 weeks.

Following the dinner, there will be a gala at The Palm restaurant, which is also in East Hampton.

Advance tickets will be $25 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets at the door will be $35 for adults and $15 for children. Preferred seating costs $75.

The Choral Society of the Hamptons holds auditions for each show. Off the top of his head, Brandenberg thinks the next opportunity to try-out for The Choral Society will be this fall.

“These are members are from the local community,” Brandenberg said. “It’s this aspect of these are talented musicians and singers who might be your neighbors and they’re sharing their talents with you and I think there’s something special about that as well.”

For more information about The Choral Society of the Hamptons, call (631) 204-9402, visit them online at www.choralsocietyofthehamptons.org. For more information about The Greenwich Village Singers, call (646)543-9605, visit them online at www.gvsingers.org.