The Lincoln Festival Chorus and the Mozart Mentors Orchestra with Sean Fleming, organist, under the direction of Anthony Antolini, will present Handel's Te Deum and Jubilate for the Peace of Utrecht (1713) on Friday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor.

Handel, a German composer, had recently moved to London to establish his career in England. He saw that he needed to gain not only attention but acceptance as a foreigner. The Peace of Utrecht was the first diplomatically negotiated settlement of a war in world history. Handel gambled that if he wrote music to celebrate the peace settlement (which ended 13 years of war with France) he would gain the fame he sought. He wrote the music before the treaty was signed, and simultaneously got to know Queen Anne. His gamble paid off. His music was chosen for the Service of Thanksgiving in June 1713. 

The music is scored for soloists (being sung by members of the Down East Singers) and Orchestra. It was performed in the newly constructed St. Paul's Cathedral and took advantage of the building's enormous size and twelve-second reverberation.

Also on the program are works by San Francisco composer Kirke Mechen. The Chorus will perform his setting of the 13th Psalm and a rollicking set of musical birthday cards entitled Birthdays in Round Numbers.

Admission is $15 and young people under the age of 12 are admitted free of charge. Tickets are available now from Chorus members, at Sherman's Bookstore, the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, the Boothbay Information Center, or to reserve with Visa or Mastercard, call the LAF office, 633-3913. Tickets may also be available at the door on the evening of each event.

For more information, go to www.lincolnartsfestival.net.