In place of our annual Festival of Lessons & Carols, this year we offer a special treat: Part 1 of Handel's masterwork oratorio, Messiah.  We will conclude with Parts 2 & 3 in April 2012.

This once-in-a-generation event will boast professional soloists from the Chicago area and our own professional ensemble, the Canterbury Singers.

The Metropolis Chamber Orchestra has won rave reviews for their historically-informed performances of Messiah with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago.

For those who have only heard this work with amateur singers and organ transcription, a full orchestral performance faithful to the crisp, intimate style of the period can be a revelation - like seeing a centuries-old oil painting freshly cleaned. As the Chicago Tribune said of the Metropolis performance, "This is not your father's Messiah!"

And don't worry - Lessons & Carols will return next year!