The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Columbus Symphony Chorus, led by conductor Elias Miller, present Handel's iconic oratorio Messiah in the Southern Theatre.
The Columbus Symphony brings Handel's Messiah to the Southern Theatre this December, with three performances over a single weekend. It's the symphony's take on the oratorio, and they're doing it with their own musicians and chorus rather than bringing in an outside group.
Conductor Elias Miller leads the orchestra, and the Columbus Symphony Chorus, directed by Stephen Caracciolo, handles the choral parts. The soloists are Shiyu Zhou on soprano, Devony Smith on mezzo-soprano, Daniel McGrew on tenor, and Holden Turner on bass-baritone. Together they run through the whole work, from the opening choruses through the arias and back to the full ensemble.
Most people know Messiah for the "Hallelujah" chorus, which has become a holiday tradition for a lot of families around here. The symphony describes the piece as Handel's exultant masterpiece, and that's a fair way to put it—it's a big, triumphant work that's meant to be heard with a full chorus and orchestra behind it. Staging it at the Southern Theatre keeps things on the smaller side, so you're closer to the music than you would be in a larger hall.
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There are three chances to catch it: Friday, December 18, and Saturday, December 19, both at 7:30 PM, and a Sunday matinee on December 20 at 3:00 PM. All three are at the Southern Theatre, 21 East Main Street, in downtown Columbus.
