Charis For Immediate Release Contact: Betsy Turner

PO Box 601 November, 2001 (914) 271-0714

Village Green

Bedford, NY 10506

www.charisvocals.com

JON HUMPHREY TO SING IN HANDEL’S “MESSIAH”

Jon Humphrey, praised by The New York Times as “outstanding for his sonorous and stirring delivery,” will join Charis Chamber Voices and Baroque Orchestra as tenor soloist in a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at 7:30 PM on December 8 at the Tarrytown Music Hall. A versatile and accomplished lyric tenor, the world-renowned Mr. Humphrey has performed and recorded extensively for over thirty years. The late Robert Shaw, acknowledged dean of American choral conducting, chose Mr. Humphrey far more than any other tenor to sing and record with his Robert Shaw Chorale and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Shaw’s recording of “Messiah,” with Mr. Humphrey as soloist, was nominated for a Grammy.

Although his repertory spans nine centuries, Mr. Humphrey believes there is something special about “Messiah”: “It is probably the most popular choral work in English today,” he says. “It demands a great deal of vocal flexibility and purity from its soloists,” he says, “but the chorus is the most important factor.” He is confident that the Westchester-based Charis, led by Susanne Peck, whom he describes as an “outstandingly talented musician,” is equal to the task.

Also appearing as soloists are Beverly Myers, soprano; Alexandra Montano, mezzo soprano, and Charles Robert Stephens, bass. Ms. Myers has performed with many prestigious companies in the United States and abroad, including The New York Philharmonic and Musica Sacra, and also recorded the film scores of Disney’s Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Ms. Montano sings frequently in opera houses and on concert stages on four continents and has recorded works from Hildegard von Bingen to Philip Glass, for whom she has also played keyboard. Charles Robert Stephens has received critical acclaim for his leading roles in the operas of Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti and Rossini, and this season appears in the title roles in Verdi’s Macbeth and Monteverdi’s Return of Ulysses at the New York City Opera.

Concert tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and students. Holders of tickets bought before November 15 will receive preferred seating. To purchase tickets, call 914-931-6575. The Music Hall is located at 13 Main Street, Tarrytown, NY. For more about Charis or to purchase tickets online, visit the Charis website at www.charisvocals.com.