South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Handel’s Messiah at Barry University
Sat Dec 4, 7:30 PM - Sat Dec 4, 9:30 PM

Hallelujah! the South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s (SFSO) will premiere its Miami performance of Handel’s glorious holiday tradition, Messiah on December 4, at 7:30 p.m., at Barry University! This beloved seasonal masterpiece features vocalists Neil Nelson, bass baritone (previously featured as the lead in South Florida Symphony's 2019 production of Porgy and Bess); Martin Nusspaumer, tenor; Brittany Graham, soprano; Rehanna Thelwell, mezzo-soprano and the 100-member South Florida Symphony Chorus.

Smithsonian magazine writes, “A musical rite of the holiday season, the Baroque-era oratorio still awes listeners 250 years after the composer’s death.” Handel’s popular work, which draws from the Christian Lent and Easter stories, encompasses a musical narrative brilliance that transcends belief systems.”

South Florida Symphony Orchestra will perform Part I of Handel’s Messiah. The concert will open with an extraordinary “Behind the Music” story incorporating a reenactment of the dramatic struggle faced by composer George Fredric Handel as he toiled to complete this holiday masterpiece. Audiences will be enchanted by regally costumed actors narrating meaningful work passages that truly elevate the concert-going experience. The performance culminates with the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus as sung by the South Florida Symphony Chorus, made-up of seasoned chorale singers and community talent. The orchestra and chorus will be conducted by Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Rios at this performance. Rios and SFSO’s Music Director and Maestra Sebrina Maria Alfonso collaborated to create the South Florida Symphony Chorus in 2019, which made its debut at the Beethoven 250th celebration in February of 2020.

Tickets for Handel’s Messiah start at $15 for the December 4 concert at Barry University and can be purchased online at https://southfloridasymphony.org/messiah.