By David R. Williams
The Kinston/Lenoir Community Chorus is delighted to announce the return of internationally acclaimed tenor Makudupanyane Senaoana for its 24th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The performance will take place at First Presbyterian Church, 2101 N. Herritage St., with accompaniment by the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra.

A native of South Africa, Senaoana honed his craft at the South African College of Music, studying under Hanna van Niekerk and Prof. Kamal Khan. He is also an alumnus of the renowned Drakensberg Boys Choir School. Senaoana’s career has taken him to prominent stages worldwide, including Teatro Real Madrid, Aalto-Musiktheater Essen, and the Asia Cultural Centre in South Korea.

Since moving to Germany, Senaoana has performed extensively across Europe, appearing in opera houses such as Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern and Theater Aachen. In recent years, he has brought his talents to the United States, with appearances at Tulsa Opera, the Ithaca Opera Festival, and San Diego Opera. Senaoana has been a recurring artist with the Dutch Nationale Opera and Ballet since 2021, most recently performing with the company in May 2023.

Known for his expressive tenor voice and commanding stage presence, Senaoana promises to deliver a performance to remember. The Messiah has become a treasured tradition in Kinston, drawing audiences from across the region.

Admission is free, with donations welcomed. The event emphasizes accessibility, aiming to enrich all attendees spiritually and culturally. For more information, email Messiah@fpckinston.org or visit the “Kinston/Lenoir County Messiah” page on Facebook.