CSO, 3 CHOIRS PRESENT HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’

It’s just not Christmas until you hear a performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” The masterpiece may be 278 years old, but its glorious music never fails to bring an audience to its feet — and not just because it’s tradition to stand for the “Hallelujah” chorus.

The Chattanooga Symphony & Opera will present this beloved work of the holiday season on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. in First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway. The orchestra will accompany a mass choir made up of the CSO Chorus, Chattanooga State Community College’s Concert Choir and members of the Adult Choir of First Baptist Church.

Guest soloists joining the choirs will be Christine Hassevoort, Rosella Ewing, Darrin Hassevoort and Brett Hyberger.

“We are thrilled to bring back ‘Messiah’ this season,” says Kayoko Dan, CSO music director. “We will feature the portions most commonly performed during the Christmas season, including the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus. I am looking forward to sharing this monumental work to celebrate the season.”

“This is one of the most amazing musical compositions of all time,” says Darrin Hassevoort, director of the CSO Chorus and Chattanooga State choir.

“Every time that I return to it, I discover new elements in the music and text that I have not observed before. Handel’s use of word-painting makes ‘Messiah’ feel new and fresh with every performance,” he says.

Seating for the concert is general admission. Tickets may be purchased by calling the CSO box office at 423-267-8583, on the CSO website at chattanoogasymphony.org or at the door if any tickets remain available.

PHOTO BY BRAD CANSLER The CSO Chorus, shown, will be joined by the Chattanooga State Community College Concert Choir and members of the Adult Choir of First Baptist Church for Friday night’s performance of Handel’s “Messiah.”