November 27, 2023
Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah, New Year’s Eve performances return to Valley
The Phoenix Symphony has a full schedule of holiday concerts coming up.
Holiday Pops (Friday-Sunday, Dec. 1-3) features carols and hymns from a variety of traditions. Handel’s Mesías en Español (Saturday, Dec. 9) includes the Christmas portion of Mesías sung entirely in Spanish with soloists and talented local choral singers from Hispanic churches and community groups.
Handel’s Messiah Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 14-17) features revered songs such as “I Know That My Redeemer Liveth” and “The Trumpet Shall Sound,” and popular choruses such as “For Unto Us A Child Is Born” and the “Hallelujah” chorus.
And New Year’s Eve with Troupe Vertigo (Sunday, Dec. 31) is a Cirque spectacular with awe-inspiring acrobats, aerialists, contortionists, jugglers and strongmen who perform feats of strength and agility on stage and above it with the Phoenix Symphony ringing in the New Year.
“The Phoenix Symphony’s holiday performances are wonderful traditions that bring family and friends together,” Virginia G. Piper Music Director Tito Muñoz, who is completing his 10th and final season in Phoenix, shared in a press release. “Attending Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah in Spanish or English, or the New Year’s Eve concert is a special way to enjoy the holidays.”
Holiday Pops (Friday-Sunday, Dec. 1-3)
Where: Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3
Featuring: Gerald Steichen, conductor; Andrea Ross, vocalist; Dane Suarez, vocalist; Phoenix Symphony Chorus; Thomas Bookhout, chorus master
Handel’s Mesías en Español (7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9)
Where: Central United Methodist Church, 1875 N. Central Ave., Phoenix
Featuring: Tito Muñoz, conductor; Maria Brea, soprano; Stephanie Sanchez, mezzo soprano; Dane Suarez, tenor; Phillip Lopez, bass-baritone
About: G.F. Handel’s oratorio “Messiah,” a holiday tradition for nearly 275 years, is a beloved oratorio in the English language. Now you can experience the Christmas portion of Mesías sung entirely in Spanish with world-class soloists and talented local choral singers from Hispanic churches and community groups.
Handel’s Messiah (Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 14-17)
When & Where: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14 at Camelback Bible Church, 3900 E. Stanford Drive, Paradise Valley; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15 at Mesa Arts Center, 1 E. Main St., Mesa; 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church
Featuring: Tito Muñoz, conductor; Vanessa Becerra, soprano; Kristen Choi, mezzo soprano; Brian Vu, tenor; Brent Michael Smith, bass; The Phoenix Symphony Chorus; Thomas Bookhout, chorus master
About: Since its debut in 1742, G.F. Handel’s “Messiah” has become a famous oratorio. Beginning with Prophecies foretelling the birth of Jesus and continuing through His passion and resurrection as a musical reflection on the life of Christ.
New Year’s Eve with Troupe Vertigo: Cirque Spectacular (7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31)
Where: Symphony Hall, 75 N. 2nd St., Phoenix
Featuring: Stuart Chafetz, conductor; Troupe Vertigo
About: Fusing together elements of cirque acrobatics, classical dance and contemporary theater, Troupe Vertigo takes audiences on a journey through the world of artistic movement accompanied by live music. Led by Aloysia Gavre, formerly of the internationally renowned Cirque du Soleil, and by technical director Rex Camphuis, who comes from the fabled Pickle Family Circus, Troupe Vertigo joins conductor Stuart Chafetz and The Phoenix Symphony to ring in the New Year.
Visit phoenixsymphony.org.
