Messiah

Opera Laguna brings back its annual holiday presentation of MESSIAH by Handel, first introduced last year in a reordered format that reshaped the flow of the work. The company’s directors, Arnold Geis and Oriana Geis-Falla, now offer a newly refined version, enhanced through music, movement, and expanded choral forces. Performances take place on Friday, December 12 at 7 pm and Sunday, December 14 at 4 pm at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Laguna Beach.

This reimagined staging features choreography created by Kia Smith with the South Chicago Dance Theater. The soloists, all artists of international distinction, form the chorus itself and rise from within the ensemble to deliver their featured moments. Their collective experience includes appearances with Los Angeles Opera, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center Theater, Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, Korean National Opera, and San Diego Opera, creating a rich tapestry of voices rarely heard in a chamber setting. The production is further enhanced by a special appearance from the recently founded Orange County Choral Academy.

At 90 minutes including a brief intermission, MESSIAH offers an inviting experience for audiences of all ages. Opera Laguna aims to establish this newly crafted interpretation as a meaningful holiday tradition for the Laguna Beach community.