Messiah
George Frideric Handel (arr. E. Goossens)
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Sinfony
Comfort ye
Every valley
And the glory of the Lord
Thus saith the Lord of Hosts
But who may abide
And he shall purify the sons of Levi
Behold, a virgin shall conceive
O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
The people that walked in the darkness
For unto us a child is born
There were shepherds abiding in the field
And lo, the angel of the Lord
And the angel said unto them
And suddenly there was with the angel
Glory to God in the highest
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Behold the Lamb of God
He was despised and rejected of men
Surely He hath borne our griefs
All they that see Him laugh Him to scorn
He trusted in God
Thy rebuke hath broken His heart
The Lord gave the word
How beautiful are the feet
Why do the nations
He that dwelleth in heaven
Thou shalt break them
Hallelujah
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I know that my Redeemer liveth
Behold, I tell you a mystery
The trumpet shall sound
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain & Amen
Celebrate the season with Handel’s Messiah like you’ve never heard it before! Sir Eugene Goossens’ grand orchestration brings new depth and richness to this beloved masterpiece, enhancing its drama and power. From the soaring “Hallelujah” Chorus to the moving arias and choruses, this performance is a breathtaking holiday tradition. Experience the majesty, the emotion, and the triumph of Messiah in a way that will leave you uplifted and inspired!
This concert is generously sponsored by the Jacqueline Laraway Giustina Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation.
Additional Support Sponsor:
WILL Leather Goods
Hear the power of the orchestra and choir together in this short clip from rehearsal on Dec. 9, 2025
Make it a full, festive evening!
Shop Will Leather Goods for your holiday gifts before the concert, starting at 6:00pm, in the Hult Center lobby. They will be available to shop before the concert, during intermission, and after.
Kick off the evening with a free 6:30pm pre-concert talk in the Soreng Theater where Executive Director Dave Moss and Music Director Alex Prior will ask, “So you think you know Handel’s Messiah?” as they uncover the story behind the music, why certain changes still spark debate, and what makes this year’s performance uniquely Eugene.
Our new Chorus Director, Naomi Castro, will lead a joyful sing-along of the famous “Hallelujah” Chorus and share her vision for the choir. Doors open at 6pm.
After the concert, cap off the night at the afterparty at the Graduate Eugene, celebrating the community this music creates, and meet the people who make it happen.
Donate a Toy at Handel’s Messiah!
We are partnering with the Hult Center’s Holiday Donation Drive at all Eugene Symphony’s concerts in December! Help us collect non-perishable food for Food for Lane County, new and used cold weather essentials for Catholic Community Services and new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Donations can be dropped off in the Hult Center lobby at this concert.
The Artists
Alex Prior
Conductor
Lindsay Ammann
Mezzo-soprano Soloist
George Frideric Handel
Composer
Wayd Odle
Tenor Soloist
Meghan Kasanders
Soprano Soloist
Aleksey Bogdanov
Baritone Soloist