Camarata Music Company Chorale and Orchestra will perform their annual Handel’s “Messiah” concert in Seoul on Dec. 15.

The oratorio is a popular work at Christmas time, and has become an annual tradition for Camarata. The concert has attracted more than 1,000 people every year including ambassadors, CEOs and politicians.

The Chorale and Orchestra will be joined this by organist Choi Yoo-jung and harpsichordist Kim Hee-jung.

This is part of an effort to provide a more authentic performance of the piece.

Previous years’ performances have used the version created by Mozart, which allows a bigger orchestra and choir, but this year’s score will be one of those drawn up by the original composer.

“There will be less wind and more strings because we’re doing an authentic version of ‘Messiah’ this year. It’s the 1751 version of ‘Messiah,’ one of Handel’s original ‘Messiah’s,” said Ryan Goessl, conductor for the concert.

Adding to the authenticity will be the use of countertenor soloist Lee Hee-sang.

“Handel’s original ‘Messiah’ was sung with no women whatsoever,” explained Goessl. “So they had boy sopranos and all countertenors were singing the alto part, tenors and basses and of course the soloists, too.

“So I think it’s going to give a much more authentic feeling. ... Countertenors are actually quite rare so I think everybody will really enjoy listening to it.”

Other solo performances will be provided by soprano Han Myung-sung, tenor Ryu Gi-yeol, and bass Sung Seung-wook.

“Our soprano is one of my favorite sopranos. She sang ‘Elijah’ earlier this year and she sung ‘Messiah’ before for me a couple of years ago, so I think it’s going to be a great performance and the soloists will only add to it. The Bupyung-gu Children’s Choir from Incheon will be taking a more involved role than children’s choirs have done in previous years. They’re one of the best children’s choirs in Korea,” said Goessl.

“They will do a pre-concert like we have done in the previous years and they will also do a couple of songs in ‘Messiah.’ We’ll have them singing one of the songs that is usually for soprano and they will do a little bit of ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘Amen Chorus,’ and then they’ll have one song that they’ll be doing themselves. It’s a step up.”

A portion of concert proceeds go toward CMC’s program that provides music opportunities to children in orphanages and low-income areas, and creating a performing arts program for multicultural children.

The concert will start at 7 p.m., at Chungdong First Methodist Church, near City Hall Station and tickets are 15,000 won in advance and 25,000 won at the door.

Tickets may be purchased in advance via tickets@camaratamusic.com (English and Korean), or by calling 010-9806-8655 (English only).

To get to Chungdong First Methodist Church, leave City Hall Station Exit 12 and bear left. Turn left at the palace walls and continue to the roundabout, where the church is directly opposite.

By Paul Kerry (paulkerry@heraldcorp.com)