Celebrate the season with Messiah, Handel’s beloved homage to hope, faith, and triumph. From the soul-stirring “Comfort ye, my people” to the exhilarating “Hallelujah Chorus,” this glorious retelling of a timeless story is a thrilling dramatic experience. Dame Jane Glover leads the Chorus, Orchestra, and an illustrious cast featuring the Music of the Baroque debuts of GRAMMY-nominated mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke and Ryan Opera Center alum Will Liverman.

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Handel's Messiah

Symphony Center

North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie

Dame Jane Glover leads the Music of the Baroque Chorus, Orchestra, and international stars Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen and Heidi Stober in our first performances of Gluck’s emotionally charged Orfeo ed Euridice. Follow Orfeo’s desperate journey to the underworld as he battles fate to rescue his beloved Euridice, armed with nothing but his voice. With soaring arias like “Che farò senza Euridice,” dramatic choruses, and famous instrumental music including “Dance of the Blessed Spirits,” will music—and love—conquer all?

Gluck—Orfeo ed Euridice

Harris Theater

Verdi’s Requiem Mass, in its fervent quest for eternal rest, stands as a powerful demonstration of the composer’s ability to harness the human voice. Hailed by NPR as “simply magnificent” for their two-time Grammy Award-winning CSO Resound recording of this work, Riccardo Muti and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus are joined by a thrilling quartet of international singers to once again deliver a masterful blend of passion and precisio

Muti Conducts Verdi Requiem

The 19th century’s most enduring oratorio, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, sung here in English, depicts the story of the biblical prophet Elijah, complete with his ascent to heaven on a flaming chariot. James Conlon leads the assembled forces, including Chicago favorite Lucas Meachem in the mighty title role and the Chicago Symphony Chorus performing the work’s pensive and ecstatic ensembles.

Mendelssohn Elijah

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The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

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We are delighted to present international violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou who will perform romances for violin and orchestra in this special Valentines series, conducted by Maestro Drostan Hall.

Enjoy a romantic evening with the wonderful violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou on Valentines Day Weekend serenading you with romances for violin & orchestra by Beethoven, Dvorak and Svendsen and other love inspired works by Kreisler. The Camerata Chicago Orchestra will complete the concert delighting you with the most celebrated romantic melody of all time: Romeo & Juliet Fantasy by Tchaikovsky.

Yi-Jia Susanne Hou performs Romances for Violin and Orchestra

Fine Arts Building Chicago

Union Church of Hinsdale

Experience the majestic beauty of "The Christmas Oratorio" by Bach, a masterpiece that captures the essence of the holiday season through its dramatic narrative, moving arias, and stirring chorales. Under the baton of Dame Jane Glover, this performance promises to be a profound and passionate rendition of Bach's work, BWV 248. The Music of the Baroque Chorus & Orchestra, along with an impressive cast of soloists, including the return of Gwilym Bowen as the Evangelist, will bring this powerful piece to life. Soloists also feature Yulia Van Doren (soprano), Emily Fons (mezzo-soprano), Gwilym Bowen (tenor), and Michael Sumuel (bass-baritone), ensuring a performance filled with emotional depth and musical excellence.

This event is scheduled for multiple dates and locations to accommodate enthusiasts:
- Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 7:30 PM at the North Shore Center in Skokie.
- Monday, November 25, 2024, at 7:30 PM at the Symphony Center in Chicago.
- Friday, November 29, 2024, at 5:00 PM, available On Demand for those who wish to enjoy the performance at their convenience.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the joy and solemnity of the Christmas story as told through one of Bach's most celebrated works.

The Christmas Oratorio 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Enjoy the outstanding musical artistry of Camerata Chicago and its wonderful choir performing the Messiah (Part I – Christmas) by Handel with the Hallalujah Chorus and Zadok the Priest. At the heart of our elite choir are some of the top choristers in Chicago.

The Messiah by Handel

Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago

New Covenant Church Naperville

St. Michael Catholic Church Wheaton

Haymarket brings Handel’s blockbuster oratorio La Resurrezione to the stage with an updated nod to its visually sumptuous 1708 premiere. Building on Haymarket’s “brilliantly performed” (Chicago Tribune) films that incorporated projected scenic elements, designer Camilla Tassi makes her Haymarket debut with lavish projections inspired by eye-witness accounts of the first performances of this oratorio. Handel’s score is an opera in all but name, and demands breathtaking vocal and instrumental virtuosity. Early music specialist Christian Curnyn conducts the Haymarket Opera Orchestra with a star-studded cast led by soprano Sarah Brailey as the Angel and baritone Douglas Williams as Lucifer. Vocal fireworks combine with religious fervor in a heroic showdown between Heaven and Hell.

La Resurrezione

DePaul University Welcome Center

Hailed as “a knockout performer” by The Times, Singaporean-British mezzo Fleur Barron brings her burnished voice to her Haymarket debut in the title role of the martyred Saint John the Baptist. Also in their company debuts, Haymarket welcomes bass-baritone Christian Pursell as Herod, the king who is reluctant to execute John the Baptist, and Eric Ferring as the savage confidant who pushes for the saint’s brutal execution. Radiant sopranos Erica Schuller and Kristen Knutson Berka return to Haymarket as the scorned mother and daughter out for blood.

La decollazione di San Giovanni Battista

An intimate and deeply human account of Christ’s betrayal, suffering, and death, Bach’s Passion According to St. John sets scripture and poetry in emotionally moving, expressively beautiful music. Dame Jane Glover leads the chorus, orchestra, and a roster of internationally renowned soloists in one of the greatest sacred works of all time.

The St. John Passion

Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Experience the power of nearly 100 voices in magnificent harmony. From “The Trumpet Shall Sound” to the rousing “Hallelujah” Chorus, Handel’s Messiah is packed with regal choral passages, exultant arias and glittering instrumental fireworks. The award-winning Chicago Symphony Chorus and four world-class soloists join Sir Andrew Davis in this must-see holiday favorite.

Sir Andrew Conducts Handel’s Messiah

Enjoy a fabulous performance of Handel’s Messiah (Christmas) - the family-friendly Christmas portion with sing-along Hallelujah Chorus.

2023 December 15 Handel Messiah Chicago

Fourth Presbyterian Church

Dame Jane Glover leads the Music of the Baroque Chorus, Orchestra, and international opera stars Susanna Phillips, Paula Murrihy, Miles Mykkanen, and Michael Sumuel in an incredible evening of musical drama that soars to the heavens. Bach brings to life Mary’s passionate words in his vivid setting of the hymn, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Standing at the other end is the heartrending work Mozart was still writing on his deathbed—the monumental Requiem.

The Mozart Requiem

Few mass settings pose more questions of listeners than Beethoven’s Missa solemnis. A fervent meditation on faith and doubt, the piece spans moments of ecstasy and angst, soaring beauty and near-operatic theatricality. Riccardo Muti leads this rarely performed score with a thrilling quartet of international singers and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

Muti Conducts Beethoven Missa solemnis

Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion speaks as urgently of compassion and hope today as it did 300 years ago—and when Music of the Baroque first performed it in 1974. One of the greatest creative achievements of all time, Bach wrote his masterpiece for two choruses, two orchestras, children’s chorus, and soloists. Dame Jane Glover conducts.

Oratorio events in Chicago, IL

Handel's Messiah

Music of the Baroque

Gluck—Orfeo ed Euridice

Music of the Baroque

Muti Conducts Verdi Requi...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Mendelssohn Elijah

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

Yi-Jia Susanne Hou perfor...

Camerata Chicago

The Christmas Oratorio

Music of the Baroque

The Messiah by Handel

Camerata Chicago

La Resurrezione

Haymarket Opera Company

La decollazione di San Gi...

Haymarket Opera Company

The St. John Passion

Music of the Baroque

Sir Andrew Conducts Hande...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

2023 December 15 Handel M...

Camerata Chicago

The Mozart Requiem

Music of the Baroque

Muti Conducts Beethoven M...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

The St. Matthew Passion

Harris Theater