In its fifth session, The Chorale at Temple Square will present one of Georg Friedrich Handel's most dramatic and compelling oratorios, "Saul." The oratorio includes some of Handel's best music, according to Mack Wilberg, associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir who heads up the chorale.

Composed in 1738, about three years before Handel's more famous "Messiah" was composed, "Saul" is based on the Old Testament accounts of David's victory over Goliath; Saul's generosity to David; the friendship of David and Jonathan, Saul's son; and Saul's growing jealousy of David's success and popularity.

"This is a seldom performed work," Brother Wilberg said of the oratorio. "It will be an opportunity for people to hear this work. There are other Handel oratorios performed more often. I did a lot of investigating to decide which one I wanted to do this time and was amazed at the dramatic elements of this particular oratorio."

The Chorale at Temple Square has about 60 members, some 40 of whom are members of the Tabernacle Choir and an additional 20 singers who, before auditioning for the Tabernacle Choir, must be accepted by and trained in the chorale. The chorale serves as a training school for the Tabernacle Choir. Training sessions are conducted by Jerold and JoAnn Ottley.

A chamber ensemble from the Orchestra at Temple Square will accompany the chorale at both concerts.

Featured will be five soloists. A bass-baritone located in Seattle, Wash., Clayton Brainerd will sing the role of Saul; he has performed in many countries. The role of David will be sung by one of few noted counter-tenors, Ralph Daniel Rawe, who is located in New York City. Salt Lake City-based tenor Robert Breault, who has appeared many times with the Tabernacle Choir as guest soloist and has performed widely in national and international venues, will sing the role of Jonathan. The role of Saul's daughter Michal, will be sung by Jennifer Larson, a Salt Lake City soprano who is pursuing graduate studies at the University of Michigan. Todd Miller, a tenor from Salt Lake City, will sing several roles, among which is the spirit of Endor.

The oratorio will be performed in the Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Friday, Oct. 12, and at Libby Gardner Hall on the University of Utah campus, also in Salt Lake City, on Saturday, Oct. 13. Both performances are at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but tickets will be required for the performance in the Assembly Hall. (Tickets are available at the Conference Center ticket office, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., door #4, or telephone 801-240-0080.) Admission is limited to those 8 years of age and older.