{"id":19495,"date":"2025-10-24T20:58:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T20:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/19495\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T20:58:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T20:58:09","slug":"handels-messiah-and-holiday-pops-is-coming-to-south-florida-symphony-orchestra","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/19495\/","title":{"rendered":"Handel’s MESSIAH and HOLIDAY POPS is Coming to South Florida Symphony Orchestra"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Florida Symphony Orchestra will return to inspire joy this holiday season with its beloved performances of Handel\u2019s glorious Messiah (Part 1, the Christmas portion) culminating in the iconic \u201cHallelujah\u201d chorus, and modern Holiday Pops favorites on December 6, at 7:30 p.m., at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale and on December 7, at 4 p.m., at Barry University in Miami. SFSO will be joined by vocal soloists Katherine Henly<\/a> (soprano), Maggie Rene\u00e9 (mezzo-soprano), Christopher W. Waite (tenor), Neil Nelson (bass-baritone) and the South Florida Symphony Chorus. Enjoy a pre-concert chat with Dr. Alan Mason 30 minutes before the concerts, featuring in-depth conversation and insights about the works and composer.<\/p>\n

Each season, orchestras the world over delight in performing one of classical music\u2019s most well-known and uplifting masterworks. Jonathan Kandell of Smithsonian magazine writes, \u201cA musical rite of the holiday season, the Baroque-era oratorio still awes listeners 250 years after the composer\u2019s death.\u201d 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 \u2018greatest\u2019 composer that ever lived.<\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Florida Symphony Orchestra is delighted to reprise its annual Messiah and Holiday Pops performances,\u201d said Jacqueline Lorber, president and CEO of South Florida Symphony Orchestra. \u201cMusic is the universal language that unites us all. Now, more than ever, we are pleased to lift our voices in song and share the timeless holiday spirit of joy and peace with audiences of all ages. Hallelujah!\u201d<\/p>\n

SFSO\u2019s 2025 holiday program will open with a selection of Holiday Pops festive favorites including \u201cYou’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,\u201d \u201cThe Prayer\u201d (as made popular by Andrea Bocelli<\/a>), \u201cYou Make It Feel Like Christmas\u201d (as made popular by Blake Shelton<\/a> and Gwen Stefani<\/a>), \u201cChristmas Canon\u201d (made popular by Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and \u201cFestive Sounds of Hanukkah.\u201d Audiences are also invited to sing along to a special medley of cherished classics – “Jingle, Bells,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and more.<\/p>\n

Per tradition, SFSO Will Close<\/a> the joyous evening with Part I of Handel\u2019s Messiah culminating with the iconic \u201cHallelujah\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

SFSO\u2019s 28th season of \u201cJuxtapositions\u201d explores beauty in contrasts, where the bold and the sublime intersect, and timeless masterpieces share the stage with today\u2019s most compelling and celebrated musical voices. From Mozart\u2019s vivacious \u201cHaffner\u201d symphony to the sun-drenched skies of Mendelssohn\u2019s \u201cItalian\u201d and the sweeping emotion of Sibelius\u2019 Violin Concerto \u2014 performances burst with color and power. Beethoven\u2019s luminous Piano Concerto No. 4 and Dvo\u0159\u00e1k\u2019s Bohemian Eighth deepen the journey, while Rimsky-Korsakov\u2019s Capriccio espagnol whirls with Spanish flair. SFSO is also proud to present upcoming orchestra firsts by GRAMMY-nominated composers, including the Florida premiere of Had to Be by Haitian American Nathalie Joachim, featuring breakout cellist Seth Parker Woods, and Carlos Simon\u2019s Four Black American Dances.<\/p>\n

Five Masterworks concerts will be held at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale from November 2025 through April 2026. Three Masterworks concerts will be held at New World Center in Miami Beach and at Tennessee Williams<\/a> Theatre in Key West from January through March 2026.<\/p>\n

From sold-out masterworks performances to accompanying today\u2019s musicians such as Natalie Merchant<\/a> and performing modern musical scores including Tim Burton<\/a>\u2019s The Nightmare Before Christmas and Back to the Future, featuring the iconic films screened live with audio and musical accompaniment, South Florida\u2019s largest symphonic orchestra is continuing its journey of excellence inspiring audiences of all ages and musical genres. Back by popular demand, SFSO will accompany ARRIVAL from Sweden: The Music of ABBA on Feb. 26 at the Broward Center.<\/p>\n

Photo credit: Steven Shires Photography\u00a0<\/p>\n

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