This holiday season, don't miss the Abilene Opera Association's presentation of Handel's Messiah, featuring the Abilene chamber singers and maestro David Itkin of the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra. Itkin will conduct several hand-selected orchestra members from around Abilene and the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Handel's Messiah is a very special piece and will be performed under the stars of the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Abilene. Special guests to be featured in this year's performance are Jennifer Young, Lynnette Chambers, Samuel Cooke, and Jeffrey Sniders.

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The Abilene Opera presentation of Handel's Messiah is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. All tickets may be purchased at Abilene Paramount online.

George Frideric Handel's Messiah was originally meant for Easter only. It began at the Musick Hall in Dublin in April of 1742. Now, of course, Messiah is a Christmas season concert in the United States and Great Britain and is a must around the holidays. It is well known that CD sales and Web downloads skyrocket during this time of year.

Source: SmithsonianMag.com

The Abilene Paramount plans to keep you in the holiday spirit this year with several other festive events:

  • Nov. 10 & 11 - Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (film)
  • Nov. 17, 18 & 19 - The Nutcracker by Abilene Ballet
  • Dec. 1 - Merry Christmas by the Abilene Celebration Singers
  • Dec. 7 - It's A Wonderful Life by the ACU Radio Live Players
  • Dec. 8 & 9 - Elf (film)
  • Dec. 10 - Handel's Messiah by the Abilene Opera Association
  • Dec. 12 - A Christmas Concert by the Abilene Community Band
  • Dec. 15 - A White Christmas (film)
  • Dec. 21 & 22 -  A Family Christmas Concert with Aaron Watson
    Source: Paramount Theatre

For the record, Handel's Messiah is my favorite holiday music. Plus I absolutely love the fact that Abilene and the Big Country are blessed with having a great deal of faith-based holiday events.

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Gallery Credit: ELLEN DEWITT