Early Music Now presents Handel’s complete Messiah

An unabridged and historically informed interpretation performed on period instruments by the Bella Voce Sinfonia, Bella Voce Chorus,  and soloists from within the ensemble.

Saturday, November 22: St. Joseph’s Chapel, 5 p.m.

Performance to be recorded and broadcast by PBS

MILWAUKEE, WI (10.23.25) – Handel’s Messiah, complete and unabridged, will receive its first performance in Milwaukee using Baroque instruments in a historically informed presentation. Early Music Now’s Executive & Artistic Director Charles Grosz announces a 24-voice chamber chorus, soloists, and a 20-player period-instrument ensemble, in a performance of the the Messiah as it sounded at its 1742 premiere in Dublin.

The performance will be recorded for broadcast on Milwaukee PBS in December, 2025. This marks the first time an Early Music Now performance will be televised.

“Early Music Now is honored to present Milwaukee’s first complete period-instrument performance of The Messiah with the esteemed Bella Voce Chorus and Sinfonia,” says Grosz. Early Music Now is one of the top early music presenters in the United States, entering its 39th season of performances of Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque programs by some of the world’s most accomplished ensembles.

With its nimbly sized orchestra and chorus, Bella Voce, under the direction of Andrew Lewis, has put its virtuosic stamp on this canonic work. Chicago Classical Review praises Lewis’s interpretation, which “strikes a deft balance between the semi-theatrical provenance of the work and the reverential nature of the work.…tempi throughout were brisk and vigorous, but still moderate enough to elevate details…bringing clarity to the score.” The Bella Voce Chorus has been commended by CCR for its “precise intonation and blend” as well as its “sound overflowing with passion.” The Bella Voce Sinfonia is praised for their “spirited playing and rich timbres.”

Soloists for the concerts all perform with the Bella Voce Chorus, highlighting the depth of talent included in the ensemble. Violinist Martin Davids (Haymarket Opera Company, The Callipygian Players) returns as soloist and concertmaster of the Bella Voce Sinfonia, with Josh Cohen (Washington Bach Consort, Seraphic Fire) also a featured soloist on Baroque natural trumpet.

Historic Saint Joseph Chapel will host the performance following its year-long renovation and beautification project. “Thank you for including St. Joseph Chapel in your 25-26 season and for televising this concert, making our beautiful Chapel available to the wider community. We wanted to bring this jewel back to its full wonder and beauty,” says Dan Tretow, Facilities Director for the School Sisters of St. Francis.

Early Music Now presents Handel’s complete Messiah

Saturday, November 22 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Chapel

1515 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.