A Classical Christmas with the Boulder Philharmonic: Handel’s Messiah

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Program:
Arcangelo Corelli: Concerto grosso, op 6, no. 8 (Christmas Concerto)
Silent Night, Mannheim Steamroller arrangement
Antonio Vivaldi: Autumn and Winter,  from the Four Seasons
Christmas portion of the Messiah, ending with the Hallelujah Chorus
Gary Lewis, conductor
Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus

Soloists:
Bethany Smith-Jacobs, soprano
Anna Englander, alto
Javier Abreu, tenor
Ashraf Sewailam, bass

Founded in 1958, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is creating a new model for American orchestras through dynamic performances that reflect our community’s own values, creativity, and sense of place. Voted “Best of Boulder” for the past six years in a row, today’s Boulder Phil is bucking national trends with growing, enthusiastic audiences under the vision and leadership of Music Director Michael Butterman.

The Boulder Phil’s main concert series—broadcast state-wide on Colorado Public Radio—is presented at Macky Auditorium, a historic jewel on the University of Colorado campus. From multi-genre productions featuring dance, choral and visual elements to concerts with a unique hometown flavor, the Phil’s imaginative programming has resulted in increasing numbers of sold-out concerts and nationwide notice in Symphony Magazine. In recent seasons the Phil has collaborated with an impressive 45 local organizations, encompassing arts, science, nature, youth, social services and more. By going beyond simply performing great music, we strive to connect ever more people to the inspiring power of orchestral music.

Recognized as “Boulder’s premier orchestra” (Boulder Weekly) and “Boulder’s superb local professional orchestra” (Daily Camera), the Boulder Phil is comprised of the top freelance musicians from Colorado’s Front Range and beyond. The Boulder Phil’s history was shaped by notable music directors Oswald (Ozzi) Lehnert (1972-1996) and Theodore Kuchar (1996-2006), under whose leadership the Boulder Phil became a fully professional ensemble. Today the Boulder Phil reaches audiences of over 20,000, with performances from Arvada to Highlands Ranch as well as regular invitations to perform at the prestigious Vilar Performing Arts Center in Beaver Creek.

The Boulder Phil strives to inspire the next generation of music-lovers through Discovery Concerts that have reached thousands of 4th and 5th grade students in 28 schools across three counties. For decades the Phil has also fostered new talent with the annual Young Artist Concerto Competition, and Boulder Phil musicians provide mentorship through side-by-side concerts with the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras and Front Range Youth Orchestras. In all these ways, the Boulder Phil strives to be at the center of our community’s cultural fabric.

Purchase tickets at vilarpac.org.

Tickets starting at $54 | Student $20