Barry Banks, Lawrence Zazzo, and Derek Welton debut with Minnesota and Houston Symphony orchestras and combine forces with conductor Christopher Warren-Green for six performances of Handel’s Messiah. The artists perform with the Minnesota Orchestra on 12 & 13 December and Houston Symphony from 18 to 21 December.

Already well-established in the US and in the concert repertoire, Barry Banks returns to this masterpiece following performances with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra last season. Banks performs again in the US next year in Berlioz’s Requiem with Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under James Conlon.

A critically-acclaimed interpreter of the Baroque repertoire, Lawrence Zazzo returns to Messiah having previously performed it with a number of established orchestras including London Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Zazzo performs again on the concert stage later this season in the title role of Giulio Cesare at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.

A regular performer of Handel’s Messiah with a number of orchestras, including the Hallé and Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Derek Welton makes his US concert debut with these performances. He sings with Barry Banks again later this season in Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 with Singapore Symphony Orchestra under Lan Shui.

Christopher Warren-Green is a highly acclaimed interpreter of the Messiah, and a frequent guest conductor with both the Minnesota and Houston Symphony orchestras. The Toronto Star gave a glowing review last year, noting that ​“Christopher Warren-Green did a remarkable job of teasing out impressive details from Handel’s music”. Warren-Green returns to the US at the start of next year to guest conduct the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and conducts the Minnesota Orchestra again for subscription concerts.