Messiah for the Masses

The Phoenix Symphony began its annual presentations of the Messiah this past Sunday. The second annual Messiah Community Sing-Along at First United Methodist Church was a huge hit with over 550 singers from across the Valley singing their favorite choruses from the beloved oratorio. The vocalists were accompanied by an orchestra of 34 musicians including community musicians, Resident Conductor Lawrence Golan serving as concertmaster, and Phoenix Symphony musicians and staff members all performing under the direction of Music Director Michael Christie. It was a fun-filled evening with vocalists begging to give another stab at singing the difficult choruses such as “His yoke is easy, His burden is light.”

The Phoenix Symphony Baroque Ensemble and Phoenix Symphony Chorus begin performing the Messiah at churches across the Valley this Thursday evening. The seven presentations of this holiday tradition run through December 20 culminating with a performance of the complete oratorio at the Mesa Arts Center. (If have you not heard The Phoenix Symphony in the Ikeda Theater at the Mesa Arts Center, you are missing something incredible!) Michael Christie will lead the combined forces of chorus and orchestra as well as four superb soloists. No stranger to Phoenix audiences, violinist Robert Mealy will return as guest concertmaster. We hope our music is a part of your holiday season!