SFSO ignites the holiday spirit with Handel’s Messiah and a vibrant Holiday Pops
South Florida Symphony Orchestra (SFSO), led by Sebrina María Alfonso, embraces a cherished seasonal tradition with a double bill designed to uplift and unite: the Christmas portion (Part I) of George Frideric Handel’s glorious oratorio Messiah, culminating in the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus, paired with a sparkling slate of Holiday Pops favorites.
Performances are set for December 6, 7:30 p.m., at The Parker in Fort Lauderdale, and December 7, 4 p.m., at Barry University in Miami Shores. Thirty minutes before each concert, Dr. Alan Mason will offer a pre-concert talk, providing illuminating insights into the works and their composer.
Each year, orchestras around the world return to this musical rite of the season. As Smithsonian has noted, the Baroque-era oratorio continues to awe listeners centuries after Handel’s time. Admiration for the work is historic and deep: in 1789, Mozart reorchestrated Messiah and still deferred to Handel’s genius; in 1823, Beethoven called Handel “the greatest.”
“We are delighted to reprise our annual performances of Messiah and Holiday Pops,” said Jacqueline Lorber, SFSO’s president and CEO. “Music is the universal language that unites us. Now, more than ever, we lift our voices to share the timeless holiday spirit of joy and peace with audiences of all ages. Hallelujah!”
This year’s vocal lineup features Katherine Henly (soprano), Maggie Reneé (mezzo-soprano), Christopher W. Waite (tenor), and Neil Nelson (bass-baritone), joined by the South Florida Symphony Chorus under the direction of Dr. Giselle Elgarresta Rios. Founded by Rios and Maestra Alfonso in 2019, the chorus debuted during the Beethoven 250 celebration in 2020 and today blends seasoned chorale voices with community talent.
The festivities open with crowd-pleasing Holiday Pops selections: “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” “The Prayer” (popularized by Andrea Bocelli), “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” (Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani), “Christmas Canon” (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), and “Festive Sounds of Hanukkah.” Audiences will also be invited to sing along to a medley of beloved standards, from “Jingle Bells” and “Silent Night” to “Joy to the World.” The evening closes with Messiah Part I and its triumphant “Hallelujah,” a choral thunderbolt that renews wonder year after year.
SFSO is also charting its 28th season, “Juxtapositions,” exploring beauty in contrasts as timeless masterpieces share the stage with compelling contemporary voices: from Mozart’s effervescent “Haffner” to the sunlit charm of Mendelssohn’s “Italian” Symphony and the sweeping emotion of Sibelius’s Violin Concerto; from Beethoven’s luminous Piano Concerto No. 4 to Dvořák’s Bohemian Eighth and the color-drenched Capriccio espagnol by Rimsky-Korsakov. The season features orchestra firsts, including the Florida premiere of Nathalie Joachim’s Had to Be with breakout cellist Seth Parker Woods, and Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances.
Tickets from $35: The Parker (12/6) via southfloridasymphony.org or ParkerPlayhouse.com, phone (954) 462-0222 (press 1). Barry University (12/7) via southfloridasymphony.org/handels-messiah or (954) 522-8445. Student and group rates: (954) 522-8445 or info@southfloridasymphony.org.
