Christopher Warren-Green Plays Handel's Glorious Messiah At Segerstrom

A beloved holiday tradition, Handel's celebrated oratorio-with its blazing trumpets, thundering timpani and spectacular "Hallelujah!" chorus-provides a moment during the busy season to experience reflection, renewal and joy. Awe-inspiring sounds of praise ring out as Pacific Symphony is joined by Pacific Chorale for the triumphant annual holiday celebration, "Handel's Glorious Messiah," celebrating the birth of Christ. A holiday tradition across the world, "Messiah" has been performed for more than 275 years, but with each new conductor, orchestra and soloists, it becomes a fresh and newly invigorating experience. This year Christopher Warren-Green mans the podium to lead the Symphony along with the Chorale and a host of globally distinguished soloists, including the soprano Klara Ek, counter-tenor David Trudgen, tenor Nicky Spence and bass-baritone Daniel Okulitch. Full of brilliant choral writing, "Messiah" energizes its audience and leaves them singing, "Hallelujah!"

"" takes place on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m., at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets start at $44. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.

About Christopher Warren-Green

Christopher Warren-Green is a British violinist and conductor. Warren-Green has recorded for BMG, EMI, Philips, Virgin, Warner Classics, Chandos and Deutsche Grammophon. In July 2007, he conducted the premiere of Nigel Hess's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra, commissioned by the Prince of Wales in memory of his grandmother, with soloist Lang Lang. He conducted the London Chamber Orchestra at the April 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge before a worldwide television audience. In May 2018, he conducted the orchestra at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The group consisted of musicians from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and English Chamber Orchestra and featured virtuoso cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

About Pacific Chorale

The Pacific Chorale is internationally recognized for exceptional artistic expression, stimulating American-focused programming and influential education programs. The Chorale presents a performance season at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County, and is sought regularly to perform with the nation's leading symphonies. The Chorale has infused an Old-World art form with California's hallmark innovation and cultural independence, developing innovative new concepts in programming and expanding the traditional concepts of choral repertoire and performance.

The Chorale comprises 140 professional and volunteer singers. In addition to its longstanding partnership with Pacific Symphony, the Chorale has performed with the Boston, National and San Diego symphonies, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic, among other American ensembles, and has toured extensively in Europe, South America and Asia.

The Chorale's numerous recordings include six with Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony featuring music by contemporary American composers. Educational programs include a Choral Academy for elementary school students modeled on the El Sistema movement; a Choral Camp presented with California State University, Fullerton providing high school students with training in music theory and vocal production; and a Choral Festival uniting 400 community members each summer in a free community performance, among other initiatives. The Chorale's many honors include awards from ASCAP and Chorus America. Robert Istad became artistic director in the 2017-18 season after serving as assistant conductor since 2004.