The Viterbo Concert Choir, Viterbo alumni, a high school honors choir of 75 students from nine local high schools, and an orchestra of performers from throughout the region will present George Frideric Handel’s Messiah at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

This special performance is part of Viterbo’s year-long 125th anniversary celebration. Audience members will be instilled with the Christmas spirit as Messiah beautifully tells the story of the prophecies and the Nativity. Messiah is the most beloved of Handel’s oratorios and is the most frequently performed piece of music in the English language. It was first performed in Dublin in 1742.

“The libretto creates a dramatic narrative of the life of Christ,” said Jean Saladino, music, director of the Viterbo Concert Choir. “Recitatives and arias present the story, while choruses expand and comment on the narration.”

The concert will include Part I: the Prophecy of Christ’s Birth and excerpts from Parts II and III: His Passion and Resurrection. Viterbo students Avery Boettcher, Hannah St. Amant, Audra Fuchsel, Meggie Moyer, Carly Ochoa, Brittany Thummel, Joseph Madary, Isaac Pulchinski, Austin Sanders, and Jacob Engel will be featured in solos in Part I. Special guest alumni soloists in Parts II and III include Sarah (Shestak) Richardson, Chelsey (Spaeth) Rogers, Ashley Mispagel, Katherine Weber, Dean Witz, Ryan McCoy, Elisabeth Cejpak, and Chelsea Verges.

This performance is part of Viterbo’s Bright Star Season and is sponsored by Mooresmiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry and Gundersen Health System. Soft Rock 101.1 FM KHME is the media sponsor.

Visit the box office to purchase tickets.