October 27, 2025

St. Michael’s Cathedral to present Handel’s Messiah Nov. 1

REGIONAL
Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – The adult and youth choirs of St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish will be joined by vocalists and musicians from throughout the Diocese of Springfield and beyond to present Handel’s Messiah, Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. The Jubilee year event is free. A goodwill offering will be taken to support youth choir instruction and organ renovations.

Handel’s Messiah is an oratorio composed in 1741 which recounts the life of Jesus Christ. Divided into three parts, it includes the famous “Hallelujah” chorus. It is one of the most famous choral works in Western music.

“We have a great group of about 40 singers who have come together. Our youngest singer is 9, and we have several who are 70 plus,” said Ashley Duplessis, the music director at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

“We have 22 instrumentalists: 2 oboes, 2 bassoons, 3 trumpets, 7 violins, 2 violas, 3 cellos, contrabass, keyboard, and timpani. The timpani player is singing, too. Our youngest instrumentalist is 14, and a freshman in high school,” she said.

Musicians from the Archdiocese of Hartford are also participating in the concert, including a few musicians from the University of Connecticut.

“This has been such an exciting project to embark upon. I’ve never directed anything of this scope, and it was quite intimidating, at first,” said Duplessis, who is also the music teacher at St. Michael’s Academy in Springfield.

“I’ve performed Messiah many times, but having never directed, I wanted to make sure I had an intimate knowledge of the score, which I achieved through transcribing the score and arranging it for our resources. This concert is the culmination of nearly a year’s work, and has truly been a team effort: I’m especially thankful to my family, the cathedral and diocesan leadership and staff, and the cathedral Schola, our team of section leaders, who do so much more than just that. I am so excited to share our work with everyone. Having the opportunity to lead this effort has been such a blessing,” she said.

The concert will run a little more than 2 hours with an intermission. Duplessis said music helps people connect with Christ.

“Through music, I worship, pray, and minister to others. As a child, I found my connection to God through music; as an adult, I strive to share the gift of that connection with my students, choir members, and the community as a whole. Messiah provides a great opportunity for us to minister to our larger community: it is one of the best-known sacred choral works, and it appeals to a large audience.”