A holiday staple in our concert season, the SSO Christmas Concert made its much-anticipated return to spread festive cheer with joyous carols and heartwarming works. This year’s edition was quite special as it was presented in the Victoria Concert Hall, home of the SSO, for the first time since 2018, due to renovation works at the Esplanade.
Under the baton of Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, the SSO performed to full houses across three evenings of 12 to 14 December. Joining them were the choristers of the Singapore Symphony Chorus and Children’s Choir who lifted spirits with their ethereal voices.
Deemed as a musical rite of the yuletide season, Handel’s renowned Messiah (Part 1) opened the concert with the Singapore Symphony Chorus, and singers such as Singaporeans soprano Victoria Songwei Li and mezzo-soprano Jade Tan, taking the audiences through this hour-long oratorio.
Elsewhere, the talent of the children’s choir was in full display in the timeless carols of African Noel and Natus est in Bethleem. As a fitting finale, the combined force of the orchestra and choruses presented It’s Christmastime – a medley of cosy festive favourites, including Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Silver Bells, and more. As a special gift to our patrons, the orchestra and choral groups delivered a surprise encore of the Messiah’s Hallelujah Chorus, bringing the night to a triumphant close.
SSG Year-End Appeal: Be Part of Our Symphony
Before taking a final bow in 2024, we express our heartfelt gratitude to concertgoers, donors, patrons and partners for seeing the Group through the year. Your support has been instrumental in helping us achieve key milestones, including SSO’s 45th anniversary and our first overseas performance in Kyoto since the pandemic.
While we receive partial funding from the Singapore government, much of what we accomplish is driven by donations. With your support, we can continue to provide opportunities for everyone in Singapore to enjoy great music, nurture young talents, and enable the orchestra to be a beacon of national pride through our international work. We hope you will be part of the Group’s symphony and contribute to our cause by clicking here.