Members of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra perform Handel's Messiah with the Montclair State University Singers and a quartet of vocal soloists. Performances take place on December 20 at 8 pm at the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton and December 22 at 7 pm at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.
Mezzo-soprano J'Nai Bridges returns to NJSO stages for Handel's masterwork-a Christmastime tradition in concert halls and churches across the world. Conductor Roderick Cox, soprano Sarah Shafer, tenor Frederick Ballentine and bass-baritone Douglass Williams make their NJSO debuts.
"Cox is a trailblazer ... a conductor who will be in the vanguard," The Minnesota Star Tribune writes of the Minnesota Orchestra associate conductor.
The Star-Ledger has praised the NJSO's past performances of the masterwork with the Montclair State University Singers, writing: "Together, orchestra, chorus, conductor and soloists brought out the work's many shades, and delivered that one particular seasonal requirement, a rousing 'Hallelujah.'"
Concert tickets start at $20 and are available for purchase at njsymphony.org or 1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476). Student tickets are $10, available at njsymphony.org/students one month in advance.
NJSO Accent events include a pre-concert carol sing with the Montclair State University Singers and Heather J. Buchanan on December 20 at 7 pm. Learn more at njsymphony.org/accents.
Learn more at njsymphony.org/messiah.
CONCERT PROGRAM
Handel's Messiah
Friday, December 20, at 8 pm | Richardson Auditorium in Princeton
Sunday, December 22, at 7 pm | Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark
RODERICK COX conductor
Sarah Shafer soprano
J'NAI BRIDGES mezzo-soprano
FREDERICK BALLENTINE tenor
Douglas Williams bass-baritone
MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY SINGERS | Heather J. Buchanan, conductor
Members of the NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
HANDEL Messiah
Videos