The ancient Romans would say, “Mediis permanebit in tenebris lux,”  “Even in the darkness there is light”.

There is no shortage of darkness in the world we live in.  But in this time of year in particular, we look through the darkness in hope of a new day. I hope you can join us for a light-filled Wheatland Concert Series Chamber Music Recital and Dinner on December 13^th starting at 6 pm.  Acclaimed soprano Ms. Kerry Holahan will return to Shiloh performing arias from Handel’s Messiah. Professor Mark Janello and Mr. Peter Kibee will provide harpsichord and cello accompaniment, and we welcome Ms. Holly Nelson on baroque violin. It is an amazing program!

During intermission Chef Erik is presenting a tradition French Cuisine du Gibier,  or wild game dinner featuring Gougère du Champignon, a savory tartlet of sautéed fall mushrooms, and Rillettes du Sanglier, wild boar paté, followed by Steak Chevreuil au Poire, tender elk steak in a peppercorn cream sauce, served with Purée de Pommes de Terre à l’Ail – garlic mashed potatoes and Choux de Bruxelles Rôtis, caramelized roast Brussel sprouts.  For dessert we are serving a delectable Crème Brûlée.  A scrumptious vegetarian option is also available upon request. The meal is paired with a fine imported Cabernet Sauvignon. 

Georg Fredrick Handel was born in modern day Germany in 1685, the son of a surgeon.  In his early 20’s he immigrated to England and achieved fame for composing Italian operas for the British aristocracy.  But by 1740 tastes among the nobility changed and Handel’s popularity and income began to decline.  A friend, Charles Jennings, suggested Handel set to music Scriptures from the Old and New Testament that reflected on Jesus as the Messiah, challenging advocates of Deism, a then popular belief system that rejected that a personal God intervened in human affairs.  While originally skeptical, Handel became consumed with the project and completed Messiah in just 24 days.  Once visiting friends found him weeping on the floor, claiming that he saw a vision of Heaven before him.  At the end of the manuscript Handel scrawled, “Soli Deo Gloria,” “To God alone the glory.” Messiah was a life changing event for Handel, and nearly 300 years later it is one of the best known and most frequently performed works in western music.

Soprano Kerry Holahan is performing the best loved arias from Messiah.  Acclaimed for her versatility and interpretation of Renaissance and Baroque music, Kerry is a staff singer at St. John’s Church, Lafayette Square and regularly appears with the Washington National Cathedral Choir and also with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Kerry earned a Master of Music, Early Music Vocal Performance from the Peabody Conservatory. 

I hope you can join us for the conclusion of our 2025 Baroque Chamber Music series and to celebrate the blessings of the season together!

• Event: Wheatland Concert Series – Chamber Music Recital & Dinner

• Date & Time: December 13, 2025 • 6:00 PM

• Location: Shiloh Manor Farm

Performance Highlights

• Soprano Kerry Holahan performing arias from Handel’s Messiah

• Accompaniment by Mark Janello (harpsichord), Peter Kibee (cello), and Holly Nelson (baroque violin)

Dinner Menu by Chef Erik

• Gougère du Champignon – savory mushroom tartlet

• Rillettes du Sanglier – wild boar pâté

• Steak Chevreuil au Poire – elk steak with peppercorn cream sauce

• Purée de Pommes de Terre à l’Ail – garlic mashed potatoes

• Choux de Bruxelles Rôtis – roasted Brussels sprouts

• Crème Brûlée for dessert

• Vegetarian option available upon request

• Paired with fine imported Cabernet Sauvignon