Apollo Chorus performs Handel’s Messiah at Symphony Center in Chicago

This Saturday, December 11, Apollo Chorus of Chicago will present its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago.  This has become a much anticipated holiday tradition for many Chicago families, and if you’ve never attended, there are still some tickets available to this favorite holiday musical tradition.

Under the direction of Stephen Alltop, the 140-member Apollo Chorus will continue its 130 year old tradition of performing the Messiah, a tradition that began in 1879 and has continued uninterrupted since then.  Once again, the Chorus will be joined by world-class soloists as well as professional musicians in the baroque orchestra.

The Apollo Chorus is Chicago’s premier volunteer chorus. Its members, chosen through audition, include men and women of all ages, races, creeds, and occupations, brought together by their love of music.  The Chorus’s repertoire includes both the masterpieces and new works of choral music, including such diverse music as spirituals, sambas, Baroque, and the Blues.

According to its website, the Apollo Chorus was founded in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire, in an effort to restore civic pride and boost the morale of Chicagoans following incredible devastation. Prior to the Fire, the City had boasted many neighborhood and ethno-centric choruses, but, along with much of the City, their rehearsal halls and music collections were destroyed. From its very beginning, therefore, Apollo was meant to be an organization that brought singers from diverse communities in Chicago together into one ensemble that would carry on beloved traditions and create new ones.

Here are the details on the concert:

Date:  Saturday, December 11, 2010, 3pm

Location:   Symphony Center,

220 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago

Cost:   $16-$75

Click here for information on public transportation and parking.

Purchasing tickets on the CSO’s website can be a little confusing if you’ve never done it before, so here are some guidelines.  You can choose your seats and purchase your tickets for this event by clicking here.     Scroll down and choose “Select Seats” which will take you to a new window.  At “Section Map: Start Here” run your cursor over the various sections of the seating map.  When you find a section you like, click on that section.  When that section appears on screen, you’ll see seats that are either gray or rose-colored.  Any seats that are rose-colored are still available.  If you move your cursor to one of the rose-colored seats, you’ll see the price of that seat.  If you want that seat, click on it, and it will automatically appear at the bottom of the screen under “Your Seats” (you’ll also know that the seat has been selected because it will turn red).  After making your selections, click on “Finalize seat and add to cart” at the bottom of the screen.  You’ll be taken to another screen which will show your cart at the top of the screen.  Click on “Checkout” and complete your order.

You can also call Symphony Center’s box office at 312-294-3000 for tickets.