The Commonwealth Chorale will continue its tradition of bringing great music to area audiences with an exciting performance of Handel’s beloved oratorio “Messiah” and Vivaldi’s joyful “Gloria,” featuring chorus, soloists and instrumentalists. Carol Henderson, new artistic director of the Commonwealth Chorale, will conduct.

Soprano solos will be sung by Anna Hulett, Sarah Reynolds and Marilyn Swanson, while alto solos will be performed by Judy Amos and Susie Thomas. Alex Haskins will sing the tenor solos. Bass soloists are Reginald Davis and Robert Horn. The first concert will be held Sunday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m. at Crenshaw United Methodist Church, 200 Church St., in Blackstone. A repeat performance will be held Sunday, Dec. 8, 3 p.m. at Farmville United Methodist Church, 212 High St., Farmville. Concerts are free of charge and open to the public. No tickets are required. For more information about the performance or the Commonwealth Chorale, visit www.facebook.com/commonwealthchoraleva/ or www.commonwealthchorale.org.

Vivaldi’s “Gloria” (c.1715) and Handel’s “Messiah” (1742), have become two of the most popular baroque choral works in musical history. The text of Vivaldi’s work is taken from the traditional “Gloria” in excelsis Deo (Glory to God in the highest) in the Latin Mass. This biblical announcement of the angels to the shepherds at the Nativity has been extended into the hymn of praise that is a familiar part of many worship services today. With its origins in the story of the Nativity, the libretto of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” provides a perfect complement to that of Handel’s magnificent oratorio, which is also based on biblical accounts of the Messiah’s birth and His subsequent ministry, death and glorious resurrection. The Commonwealth Chorale is pleased to bring this widely anticipated holiday performance to the communities of Southside Virginia, and is grateful to the appreciative audiences and generous donors who make these concerts possible.