Saints Peter and Paul Church presents its annual Messiah concert Dec. 14

"I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God himself," said George Frideric Handel when he finished writing the "Hallelujah" Chorus for "Messiah," his most famous work. This oratorio praises God in a sublime and glorious manner that makes it one of the most frequently performed choral compositions in the world.

It has become a good tradition for Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church of Naperville to perform the Christmas portion and "Hallelujah" Chorus from Handel's "Messiah" at its annual Christmas concert.

This year, the church continues this beautiful tradition. A breathtaking performance of Handel's epic masterpiece and a Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St. in Naperville.

"This is our most popular concert," said Maestro Matthew S. Sprinkle, director of the sacred music department at Saints Peter and Paul. "This annual Messiah Christmas concert is always a sell-out. It has become part of the holiday tradition here in Naperville."

Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, one of the most recognizable cultural and spiritual spots in Naperville, established this annual tradition in 2013. Since then, hundreds of people have joined the church for its annual Messiah concert and can't imagine their Christmas season without this beautiful celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. Maestro Sprinkle is proud that this concert has become such a noticeable and respected event and attracts Naperville residents and people from other Chicago suburbs to Saints Peter and Paul.

"It will be the only Messiah Christmas concert in Naperville," noted Maestro Sprinkle. "As always, part of the concert is our annual carol singing where everyone will have a chance to sing their favorite carols. After the concert, we will hold a desert reception. Everyone is invited!"

Maestro Sprinkle will lead the Saints Peter and Paul Orchestra and Choir along with the brilliant soloists in this breathtaking performance of Handel's epic masterpiece. Every year, Maestro Sprinkle and the musicians find the best way to present Messiah, and every year it sounds marvelous. The performance brings tears in people's eyes and touches everyone's heart. By writing Messiah, Handel gave both the performers and the listeners an opportunity to join him in exciting and awe-inspiring spiritual journey. Maestro Sprinkle knows exactly how to make this journey unforgettable and finds the best way to present this heavenly music.

The soloists play a very important role in this composition. Certainly, it is very important to name these talented and skillful singers. There will be four acclaimed soloists that will make the Messiah concert unforgettable, and they are JoEllyn Caulfield, soprano; Christina Bernardoni, mezzo-soprano; Fr. Michael Magiera, tenor; and Jess Koehn, bass.

JoEllyn Caulfield, soprano, holds a Master's Degree in Vocal Performance from Michigan State University and a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance from Northern Illinois University. She is a vocalist and voice teacher in the west suburbs of Chicago. Her passion for music continually motivates her to perform concerts and teach lessons within the community.

Christina Bernardoni, mezzo-soprano, is an active musician and private instructor around the Chicagoland area and surrounding suburbs. She is passionate about keeping healthy vocal technique alive in both her own performance and through her students. In 2017, Christina graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Master of Music in Vocal Literature and Performance. Before that, she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Voice and Opera Performance from Northwestern University.

Father Michael Magiera, tenor, is a former opera singer who is now pastor at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Rockdale, Illinois. He has been a featured soloist with numerous opera companies and theaters in the United States. He also was a European finalist in the International Luciano Pavarotti Competition and has performed many leading operatic and operetta roles throughout Germany and Switzerland. In 1998, Magiera entered Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary, the house of study and formation for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. He was ordained in 2005. Now, Father Magiera combines his love for singing with his love for God. He frequently performs in concerts and is happy to participate in the Saints Peter and Paul's Messiah performance.

Jess Koehn, bass-baritone, is a young talented soloist whose strong and powerful voice can be heard as part of St. Charles Singers, Chicago Choral Artists, and some other choral organizations. Koehn is also a voice teacher and owner of Koehn Voice Studio. In his pedagogical activities, Koehn is dedicated to excellence and professionalism. His classes are well-structured and organized, which gives the instructor an opportunity to deliver his knowledge of music in the most efficient and productive way.

Together, these passionate and skillful vocalists will light up the evening with their amazing voices. Handel created a great choral composition with complicated operatic vocal lines, expressive mood and churchly counterpoint, and these wonderful vocalists know exactly how to present their vocal parts the way the composer intended originally.

Needless to say, this beautiful Christmas celebration would not be possible without Maestro Matthew Sprinkle, a talented musician and conductor. Sprinkle is the director of music at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Naperville. He puts all his heart and soul into conducting a program that includes several vocal ensembles and an orchestra, serves as principal organist, and oversees Concerts at Saints Peter and Paul. His tremendous and thorough education in organ performance, voice and choral conducting and knowledge of sacred music make him an irreplaceable key figure of the event. Under the baton of Maestro Sprinkle, Handel's Messiah will light up the listeners' emotions the same way as it did in 1742 when it was first performed.

The second part of the concert will give the audience an opportunity to participate in singing some of their favorite Christmas carols. Christmas carols will sound in their traditional arrangement, which will make it easy to sing-a-long for the audience. Personal participation in the music-performing process is always fun and exciting, and regular attendees of the concerts at Saints Peter and Paul know that.

Tickets are $10 for students or seats with an obstructed view, $25 general admission, and $35 prime preferred admission. VIP tickets include reserved seating in the front section of the church and give you the best experience.

For tickets and information, call (630) 718-2119 or visit www.sspeterandpaul.net/worship/concertseries/. You can also purchase your tickets at the church office located at 36 N. Ellsworth St. in Naperville.