Event: Handel’s Messiah is back in Kinston

On Monday, December 12, at 7:00 p.m., Handel’s Messiah will again be performed at the First Presbyterian Church by the Community Chorus after being silenced for 2 years by the COVID pandemic.

For decades, Lenoir Community College organized a community-wide performance of Handel’s Messiah under the direction of Carolyn Crossland. After many wonderful performances, the college could no longer produce the event, and in 2014, the First Presbyterian Church took over hosting this wonderful project.

The Kinston/Lenoir County Messiah Chorus is made up of about 50 local volunteers who all share a love of choral singing, classical music, and specifically Handel’s great work, Messiah. The chorus will be joined by 4 world-class operatic soloists and the professional North Carolina Baroque Orchestra. The NCBO is an 18th-century specialist orchestra that performs on historic instruments from Handel’s own time.

Messiah is perhaps the most well-known and beloved piece of classical music. For communities all over the world, the holiday season is not complete without attending a performance of Messiah. The December 12th performance will last about 1 hour, and there is no admission price, though donations are joyfully welcome. All are invited to attend!