If you wish to sing in Handel’s glorious Messiah this holiday season, you will have two choice opportunities to do so. The Bardavon continues the Hudson Valley Philharmonic (HVP)’s 56th season on Saturday, December 19 at 2 p.m. at the Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston with a special holiday performance of Handel’s Messiah with guest conductor Christine Howlett. Guest vocalists from Cappella Festiva will join the HVP to perform George Frideric Handel’s most popular choral work, for a total of 130 instrumentalists and singers on the UPAC stage. Audience members will be invited to sing along. A pre-concert talk with Maestro Howlett and members of the orchestra will take place one hour before the concert for all ticketholders.
Prices for $20 Handel’s Messiah are $25, $35 and $50, depending on location. Student Rush tickets will be available for $20 one hour prior to the concert, subject to availability. Tickets can be purchased at the Bardavon box office at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie, (845) 473-2072, and the UPAC box office at 601 Broadway in Kingston, (845) 339-6088. For more information, visit www.bardavon.org.
Meanwhile, the Hudson Opera House hosts its Messiah Sing on Saturday, December 19 at 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, located at 369 Warren Street in Hudson. Supported by a string ensemble and vocal soloists, participants become the choir, conducted by Gwen Gould. The suggested donation is $15. Students aged 18 and under get in free. For more information, visit https://hudsonoperahouse.org.