Incline Village, NV…TOCCATA –The Reno-Tahoe-Truckee community has 6 opportunities this December to enjoy TOCCATA’s wonderful tradition of producing selections from HANDEL’S MESSIAH in a Holiday Concert.

MESSIAH was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on March 23, 1742 and was conducted by its composer. It continues to be a masterpiece that has left audiences in awe for 269 years. The TOCCATA production is a celebration of the holidays and includes not only favorite selections from Messiah Parts One and Three, but also seasonal carols that the audience will be most welcome to join in singing.

All performances will be directed by Maestro James Rawie. The Messiah series marks the conclusion of TOCCATA’s fifth season. Joining the TOCCATA Chamber Orchestra and Chorus for this production are soloists Katharine DeBoer, Tammy Brock, Joy Strotz, and Anna Helwing, sopranos; Stephanie Dixon, contralto; and Stuart Duke, baritone.

The performances are Wednesday, December 15 at 7:00 pm at Trinity Church in Reno, (200 Island Ave., Reno • 775-329-4279); Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm in St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in South Lake Tahoe (1041 Lyons Ave./530- 544-3533); Saturday, December 18 at 2:00 pm at St. Francis Church in Incline Village, and Sunday, December 19 at 3 pm at The Resort at Squaw Creek.  This is the third year that TOCCATA performs Messiah at the Resort at Squaw Creek, and there is special pricing for roomrates and dinner.

The Truckee Tahoe Community Chorus, directed by Susan Horst, will join TOCCATA for the December 15 and 19 performances. The Sierra Nevada College Chorus, directed by Donna Axton and Incline Choraleers, directed by Eunice Marion, will join for the concerts on December 17 and 18.

The final performances will take place on Tuesday, December 21 at 6:30 pm at the Carson City Community Center, and Sunday, December 26 at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Tahoe City. The Carson City concert features the 60-voice Carson High School Concert Choir, alumni and Carson soloists, and will be a benefit for the high school choir’s future tour presentations.

The TOCCATA Chamber Orchestra features Virginia Bowman as concertmaster; David Brock, Ben Benson, and Ben Wallek as continuo; and Mark Lord and William Van Meter on Baroque trumpets.
 General admission to all concerts is $20 adults, $15 seniors, $5 students 25 and under with valid ID, and preferred/reserved seating is $35.

Children under 12 are admitted free with a paying adult. All performances are supported by the Kling Family Foundation and Thorney Point Foundation.

For more information or preferred seating, call 775-313-9697. Visit
TOCCATA at www.ToccataTahoe.com.