Handel’s Messiah

The Greatest Story Ever Told Kazem Abdullah, conductor Virginia Symphony Orchestra Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus It’s Southeastern Virginia’s grandest Messiah! Handel’s most famous work comes to life with the full Christmas section along with selections from the second and third parts, including the iconic Hallelujah chorus! This sacred masterpiece will hearten and warm the spirit this holiday season. Kazem Abdullah has recently conducted the Oregon, Indianapolis, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Kansas City, Seattle and Cincinnati symphony orchestras. In 2023, Abdullah conducted Anthony Davis’ X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X at the Metropolitan Opera, a production the New York Times called “an American classic.” Committed to expanding the American repertoire, Kazem has led the premieres of several significant American operatic works including Rhiannon Gidden’s Omar, Gregory Spears Castor and Patience, and additional works by John Luther Adams, Caroline Shaw, Anthony Davis, George Lewis, Dai Fujikura, and Daniel Bernard Roumain. In addition to his symphony engagements, he recently conducted an opera Gala for the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the American premiere of Charles Wuorinen’s opera Brokeback Mountain, Tosca for Seattle Opera, and Hänsel und Gretel for Cape Town Opera. The 26/27 season marks the 37th anniversary of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and its 30th under the direction of Chorusmaster Robert Shoup. In addition to regular appearances with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the chorus has performed to sold-out houses as far afield as Prague, Vienna, Berlin, Leipzig, Munich, Salzburg and closer to home at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.