Nashville Symphony presents Handel’s Messiah

The Nashville Symphony and Chorus ring in the holiday season with their annual performances of Handel’s inspiring oratorio Messiah. This Baroque-era masterpiece gives expression to universal thoughts and emotions through an astonishing range of music, with moments of tranquility, darkness and exuberance.

“There’s no better place to hear it than at Schermerhorn Symphony Center,” said Cass Teague. “This is the perfect way to lift your spirits in light of recent tragic events in Connecticut. I am sure you, like me will be uplifted and leave exhilarated.”

Giancarlo Guerrero will conduct the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Kelly Corcoran is interim chorus director of the Nashville Symphony Chorus, which features Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Nina Yoshida Nelson, mezzo-soprano; Gordon Gietz, tenor; and Michael Dean, baritone. This Aegis Sciences Corporation Special Holiday Event plays two hours and 20 minutes in performance, with a 20-minute intermission. It takes place Thursday, December 20, at 7 pm; Friday December 21, at 8 pm; and Saturday December 22, at 8 pm in Laura Turner Hall at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

When you purchase tickets to the Nashville Symphony ($49-$109), you can receive free admission to the Frist Center for the Visual Arts (a $10 value)! Simply present your ticket stub at the Frist Center’s Visitor Services desk. This offer also includes reduced-price parking in Frist Center lots as available. Admission for visitors 18 and younger is always free.

Offer good through Jan. 13, 2013. You can also see the Carrie Mae Weems retrospective, the German Expressionism exhibition and Brian Alfred’s work before they leave, compliments of the Symphony.

Federal lawsuit alleges Nashville Sen. Charlane Oliver’s free speech rights violated

Nashville Sen. Charlane Oliver and four constituents sue Senate Speaker Randy McNally, alleging retaliation over her protest of Tennessee’s congressional redistricting map.

School choice sparking Black parenting debate

Nikole Hannah-Jones’ essay about her daughter’s Brooklyn school choice sparks debate over public education, integration and what Black parents owe their children.

Civil rights groups sue over threat of federal agents at polls

The NAACP, National Urban League and allied groups sue to block ICE and other federal agents near polling places, citing voter-intimidation concerns.

Federal appeals court strikes down Tennessee abortion ‘recruitment’ provision

The Sixth Circuit struck down Tennessee’s abortion “recruitment” provision, finding it violated First Amendment rights by restricting speech about legal out-of-state abortions.

Pressley calls for federal jobs guarantee as Black unemployment draws concern

Rep. Ayanna Pressley renews her call for a federal job guarantee as Black unemployment remains higher than White unemployment and Black women face acute financial