Boston Baroque returns to its cherished holiday traditions with performances of Handel’s Messiah, one of the most beloved and enduring works in classical music. Written in 1741, Messiah has captivated audiences for centuries with its radiant choruses, lyrical arias, and timeless message of hope and renewal.

This season features a stellar quartet of Boston Baroque favorites—soprano Amanda Forsythe, mezzo-soprano Paula Murrihy, tenor Thomas Cooley, and baritone Roderick Williams—bringing fresh brilliance and expressive power to this iconic masterpiece. Boston Baroque’s Assistant Conductor, Filippo Ciabatti, makes his eagerly anticipated debut leading the orchestra and chorus in this treasured work, highlighted by the joyful “For unto us a child is born” and the majestic “Hallelujah” chorus. Celebrate the season with this unforgettable musical tradition.

Christmas Music from England and Early America

A much-loved Camerata holiday program returns two generations later! We celebrate Christmas in the English speaking world down through the centuries, with wonderful songs and carols from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance to early America. While most music presented here is art music — transcribed from old manuscripts and prints — the means of expression are generally direct and simple, with a strong folk and popular vein. Camerata’s top soloists, voices and instruments, offer a unique experience at year’s end.