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The Easter portion of Handel’s acclaimed “Messiah” is one of the highlights of a free, 45-minute concert on Easter Day, April 20, at Christ Episcopal Church, Church Hill.

The concert, entitled “Resurrection Sunday! A Celebration of Eternal Life,” begins at 2 p.m. in the historic church.

Internationally known musicians will present Easter-related selections by Handel, Bach and others.

“Of course, Easter is the day Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead,” said the Rev. Sam Godfrey, supply priest at Christ Church.

“At 3 p.m. April 20, immediately after the concert, the church will celebrate Easter with a worship service,” Godfrey said.

“We’ll also celebrate the completion of a two-year resurrection and restoration of the church building,” he said. “We invite all to come for the music and stay to worship with us.”

Christ Church, founded in 1820, is the oldest Episcopal congregation in Mississippi. Following years of worship services in two smaller churches, the current Gothic Revival building was constructed in 1858.

The last major maintenance work on the church took place more than 80 years ago, according to John Norris, Junior Warden. “This very important church was definitely showing its age,” he said.

During the past two years, the church has been totally restored from top to bottom

“It looks as beautiful as it looked in 1858,” Norris said. “But now it has a new roof, a new paint job, central air and heat and many other improvements. It has truly been resurrected.”

Acclaimed, award-winning musicians presenting the concert are:

·       Lyric soprano Sarah Stembel, who holds a Master of Music in Opera Performance degree from the Maryland Opera Studio. She has sung with Dayton Opera, Sarasota Opera and Opera Mississippi.

·       Mezzo-soprano Victoria Thomasch, who holds degrees from New York University and Baylor University. She has performed in Australia, New York City, Toronto and Miami.

·       John Christopher Adams, who studied music at Mississippi College and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has performed on stages around the globe.

·       Miguel Pedroza, bass-baritone, whose degrees are from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and University of Houston. He has performed with Cincinnati Opera, Houston Grand Opera and Opera Maine.

·       Pianist Dr. Theresa Sanchez, past president of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association and a Fellow of the Music Teachers National Association. She serves as Music Coordinator for Festival South in Mississippi.

The musicians are cast members of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” which will be presented May 2 by the Natchez Festival of Music at the Natchez City Auditorium.

This article was submitted by Carolyn Vance Smith.