South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO), led by Sebrina María Alfonso, returns to illuminate and inspire joy this holiday season with its beloved performances of Handel’s glorious Messiah (Part 1, the Christmas portion) culminating in the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus, and timeless uplifting Holiday Pops on Dec. 7, 2024 at 7:30 p.m., at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale and on December 8, at 4 p.m., at Barry University in Miami. SFSO will be joined by vocal soloists Rachel Blaustein (soprano), Lisa Marie Rogali (mezzo-soprano), Norman Shankle (tenor) and Rafael Porto (bass-baritone) and the South Florida Symphony Chorus.

Each season, orchestras the world over delight in performing one of classical music’s most well-known and uplifting masterworks. Jonathan Kandell of Smithsonian magazine writes, “A musical rite of the holiday season, the Baroque-era oratorio still awes listeners 250 years after the composer’s death.” In 1789, Mozart posthumously paid Handel the supreme compliment of reorchestrating Messiah but even Mozart confessed himself to be humble in the face of Handel’s genius describing his orchestrations: “When he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.” In 1823, Beethoven proclaimed Handel to be the ‘greatest’ composer that ever lived.

“SFSO’s annual Messiah concert has fast become a time-honored tradition,” said Jacqueline Lorber, president and CEO of South Florida Symphony Orchestra. “We love and are honored to share in the spirit of the holidays with our audiences in celebration of our families, friends, and beautiful music. It is our way of bringing communities together with a message of joy, appreciation, harmony, and peace.”

SFSO’s 2024 holiday program will open with a selection of Holiday Pops festive favorites including “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” “Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” “Ocho Kandalikas,” “Ave Maria” (Schubert), and “Dreidel Song.” Audiences are also invited to sing along to a special medley of cherished classics – “Jingle, Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and more. 

Per tradition, SFSO will close the joyous evening with Part I of Handel’s Messiah culminating with the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus as sung by the South Florida Symphony Chorus, made-up of seasoned chorale singers and community talent, directed by Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Rios. Rios and Maestra 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 at both venues start at $25, plus fees.

For the Dec. 7, 2024 concert at The Parker, purchase tickets online at southfloridasymphony.org/handels-messiah or via the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at (954) 462-0222. For the Dec. 8, 2024  performance at Barry University’s Shepard & Ruth K. Broad Performing Arts Center, order online at southfloridasymphony.org/handels-messiah or via phone at (954) 522-8445.