Boston’s Handel and Haydn Society performs “Messiah” in 2023, led by Artistic Director Jonathan Cohen. Photo courtesy of Robert Torres.
In the March 25 Boston Globe, A.Z. Madonna writes, “Handel and Haydn Society’s 2026-27 season will include the return of laureate conductor Harry Christophers for the ensemble’s signature ‘Messiah,’ a world premiere of a new myth-inspired cantata by composer Damien Geter (‘Loving v. Virginia’), and the third annual H+H CitySing, which will draw singers from choral ensembles across Massachusetts … Artistic director Jonathan Cohen leads five of eight announced mainstage programs including the season finale: Mendelssohn’s epic oratorio ‘Elijah’ will feature the H+H Orchestra and Chorus and Youth Choruses Chamber Choir as well as CitySing vocalists and to-be-announced guest soloists. Cohen also leads the season opener, Handel’s oratorio ‘L’Allegro, Il Penseroso ed il Moderato,’ based on the poetry of John Milton. Along with the H+H Orchestra and Chorus and soprano Joelle Harvey, Massachusetts poet laureate and frequent H+H collaborator Regie Gibson will also play a key role in the performance … He’s on board for ‘Kiss and Tell,’ a new Baroque-inspired cantata co-commissioned by H+H and Cleveland-based Les Délices, to be performed with countertenor Reginald Mobley, who also serves as a programming consultant for H+H. The libretto, by poet Tsitsi Jaji, draws from poetic traditions including classical Greek, West African, and Japanese.”
