Grand and populous performances of Handel’s Messiah are about as Christmas as it gets. This year, the Bardavon presents Handel’s Messiah with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic (HVP) and Cappella Festiva on Saturday, December 21. Guest vocalists from Cappella Festiva with guest conductor Christine Howlett will join the HVP to perform George Frideric Handel’s most popular choral work: a total of 140 instrumentalists and singers on the Bardavon 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. Ticket prices start at $26.
Handel’s Messiah
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2 p.m., $26+
Bardavon 1869 Opera House
35 Market St., Poughkeepsie
(845) 473-2072, www.bardavon.org