On December 7, the Orchestra of the Bronx in New York City will present its annual free presentation of Handel’s “Messiah” featuring the orchestra’s professional musicians, vocal soloists, and the Chorus of the Bronx Opera as well as more than 20 speakers from the community, who will read the “Messiah” text. Led by Orchestra of the Bronx founder and conductor Michael Spierman, the concert at Lovinger Theater at Lehman College will include guest speakers—all with connections to the borough—reading brief passages from the oratorio. Among the speakers are Valerie Capers, educator and jazz artist; Laurie Cumbo, Commissioner, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; Daisy Cocco de Filippis, President, Hostos Community College, CUNY; Hon. Jeffrey Dinowitz, Member, NY State Assembly; Vanessa I. Gibson, President, Borough of The Bronx; Ilyssa Gillman, Education Director, Amalgamated Park Reservoir Co-Op; Larry D. Johnson, Jr., President, Bronx Community College, CUNY; Jesus Lopez-Jensen, Executive Director, The Bronx Council on the Arts; Benjamin Mitchell, Manager, NYC Housing Authority; Ariana Prela, honors student; Jason Regalado, Bronx hip-hop artist; Maurice Richard, server, Black Whale Restaurant, City Island, Bronx, and Hon. Jose M. Serrano, Member, NY State Senate.
