Messiah Choral Society's 54th Annual Performance of Handel's Messiah

About this event

OCACA - The Messiah Choral Society (MCS) will sustain its collaborative commitment to cultural enrichment and a thriving community by celebrating the creation of Handel's most famous oratorio, Messiah, via its 54th annual free, accessible, and inspiring live performance that will reach about 1,200 people in November 2026. Messiah is a powerful musical composition with messaging that reminds all participants and audiences alike of a shared humanity. MCS choral members will exhibit outstanding execution, passion, and cohesiveness due to their practice and focus on the oratorio\\'s detailed nuances. Since 1973, MCS has been presenting this free annual performance of Handel's Messiah and is noted as being the longest running cultural event in the Central Florida community. The November 2026 performance will be the fifth time the concert will take place at the illustrious Dr. Phillips Center in Steinmetz Hall, which enhances the experience for both participants and audiences alike. Directed by the esteemed Dr. John Sinclair, the performance melds the musical expertise of an over 100-member volunteer choir, nationally renowned soloists, and a full professional orchestra. Widely regarded as a magnificent masterpiece and unique in that all of the 53 movements are filled with meaningful and symbolic musical highlights such as lilting rhythms, rapid tremolos, rising and descending melodic intervals, unique meters, and rising arpeggios. The movements reflect the world's brokenness but also ongoing efforts to make the world a better place through love and justice. Messiah showcases the iconic Hallelujah chorus alongside a collection of brilliant orchestrations. The concert will also be live streamed available via links on the website messiahchoralsociety.org.