Hallelujah! KC Symphony presents its 100th year of Handel’s Messiah

In the orchestra world, Handel’s Messiah has become as much a Christmas tradition as have popular culture iconic movies like It’s a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Story. So it’s no surprise that the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra has made this massive, moving oratorio part of its annual holiday repertoire.

The power of more than 250 voices combined with the impeccable acoustics of Kauffman Center’s Helzberg Hall provides a triumphant experience of Handel’s majestic choral masterpiece. The Kansas City Symphony and Symphony Chorus join with the Independence Messiah Choir to celebrate 100 glorious years of performing Handel’s Messiah.

Handel wrote Messiah in 24 days; it premiered in 1742 and has been an orchestral and chorale favorite ever since. It has become a traditional sacred music tradition at Christmas, particularly in the United States.

The KC Symphony performance will be led by guest conductor Laurence Cummings, and includes the Symphony, the KC Symphony Chorus with its 160 voices, and the Independence Messiah Choir. Featured artists are Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Jennifer Rivera, mezzo-soprano; Benjamin Butterfield, tenor; and John Brancy, baritone.

Performances are Dec. 1 at 7 p.m., Dec. 2 and 3 at 8 p.m., and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. in Helzberg Hall. Tickets are $25-$65, and are available online at KCSymphony.org, by phone at (816) 471-0400, or at the Symphony’s box office, 1703 Wyandotte, Suite 200, in Kansas City.

Make Handel’s powerful and faith-filled Messiah a part of your holiday tradition.

Copyright 2016 The Gayly – November 29, 2016 @ 2:35 p.m.