The Asheville Symphony Orchestra presents an Asheville symphonic Christmas tradition with the most beautiful music of the season.

Music Director Daniel Meyer will present a portion of Handel’s beloved Messiah alongside orchestral arrangements of seasonal carols. With the voices of the Asheville Symphony Chorus, directed by Michael Lancaster and a cast of superb vocal soloists, this is a concert designed for those who cherish a classical Christmas.

The first half of the concert will be comprised of the “Christmas portions” of Handel’s Messiah including the stirring Hallelujah chorus.

After intermission, the orchestra, chorus and soloists will return to the stage to perform pieces such as Joy to the World, Silent Night, plus other joyous works of the season, and debut a new work commissioned by the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in honor of Steven Hageman, past Asheville Symphony executive director.

The soloists for this performance are Amanda Hall, soprano, Abigail Fischer, mezzo soprano and Dan Kempson, baritone.

If You Go: A Classical Christmas, Sunday Matinee, December 15 at 3 p.m., in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium. Tickets are available through the Asheville Symphony or the US Cellular Center ticket office, and range in price from $20 to $58 (with students prices ranging from $10 to $40). Call (828) 254-7046 for more details or visit www.ashevillesymphony.org.