Handel’s Messiah

Last year’s performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Dream Orchestra was so popular that two concerts are planned this year. Under the baton of Artistic Director Daniel Suk, the orchestra will be joined by the Opera Chorus of Los Angeles and four soloists: soprano Golda Berkman, mezzo soprano Lacey Jo Benter, bass Patrick Blackwell and tenor Arnold Livingston Geis. George Frideric Handel wrote the oratorio Messiah in 1741, and it made its debut in Dublin in April 1742, premiering in London a year later. Scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible. With its joyous “Hallelujah” chorus, Messiah has become a Christmas musical staple, even though it was originally a Lenten/Easter offering.