Apollo Chorus to Celebrate 135 Years of Performing Handel's MESSIAH in December

The Apollo Chorus, Chicago's oldest musical organization, will perform their signature rendition of the choral masterpiece Handel's "Messiah" on Saturday, December 6 at 3:00 p.m. at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., and Saturday, December 20 at 3:00 p.m. at Harris Theater for Music & Dance, 205 E. Randolph Drive. Handel's "Messiah" has been performed by The Apollo Chorus nearly every December since 1879. Few works today are as celebrated or beloved as Handel's Messiah, and this annual performance has become a holiday tradition for many Chicago families.

John von Rhein from the Chicago Tribune has called the performance "Spirited!" and said "The oldest musical organization in Chicago has much to sing 'hallelujah' about." Lin Brehmer from WXRT raved that Apollo's version of Handel's "Messiah" is "An afternoon I will cherish long after this holiday season has come and gone."

This year's talented soloists include Elisabeth Marshall as soprano, J'nai Bridges as mezzo-soprano, Samuel Levine as tenor, and David Govertsen as baritone. These extremely talented and accomplished soloists have performed with some of the premiere orchestras around the world and hold residencies with some of the most distinguished arts organizations.

Following the holiday concerts, the music of the Apollo Chorus will continue in March with Britten's Simple Symphony, Lauridsen's Lux Aeterna and Schubert's Mass in A-flat on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at University of Chicago's stunning Rockefeller Chapel, 5850 S. Woodlawn Ave. The exhilarating season finale Spring Concert, International Voices, will take place Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street, and Sunday, May 3 at 3:00 p.m. at Elmhurst Christian Reformed Church, 149 W. Brush Hill Rd. in Elmhurst.

The Apollo Chorus is Chicago's oldest musical organization, founded in 1872 in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, performing preeminent choral works at premier venues. Newcity raves that "Alltop's unbroken track record for training his chorus to express such varieties of style and color rivals any other in the city!" Its approximately 120 auditioned members include men and women of all ages, races, and backgrounds brought together by their love of music. The Apollo Chorus has performed at notable historic events, such as the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, the Century of Progress International Exposition, the opening of Medinah Temple, the opening of Orchestra Hall (Apollo was considered the official chorus of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra prior to the formation of the Symphony Chorus), the opening of Navy Pier, and the "Oprah Surprise Spectacular." The chorus will also perform this year at the 125th Anniversary Gala of the Auditorium Theatre on Dec. 9, 2014 with a rousing rendition of "Do You Hear the People Sing?" from the iconic musical, LES MISERABLES, which they also performed at the 1889 opening. The Apollo Chorus continually strives to advance musically and to share the power, beauty and majesty of choral music by presenting concerts and educational programs for diverse communities throughout Chicago and beyond.

Tickets to Handel's "Messiah" at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center and at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance range from $18-80. To purchase individual tickets or to book a group, call The Apollo Chorus at 312.427.5620 or visit www.apollochorus.org. Tickets are also available by visiting or calling Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center at 312.294.3000 and the Harris Theater for Music and Dance at 312.334.7777.

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