St. John Cantius Parish

The magnificence of Handel’s 18th Century masterpiece, in the Baroque splendor of St. John Cantius Church.

Come away from the holiday frenzy for a few moments of bliss and beauty with the Sine Nomine Choir and Orchestra and you’ll return home renewed through the power of Handel’s Messiah.

Ticket Packages

Basic Messiah
$25.00 per person.
Let your soul enjoy an inspiring evening of Handel’s finest choral and orchestral music.

• 6:30 pm Lecture in the Parish Hall on Handel’s Messiah by Dr. Robert L. Kendrick, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Music, University of Chicago
• 7:00 pm - Doors Open
• 7:30 pm - General Seating

Reserve Seating Online »
Or Mail in a Reservation Form

Evening with Handel
$100.00 per person.
Enjoy a festive cocktail hour in the historic rectory of St. John Cantius Church, followed by a stimulating lecture about the Master Composer, Handel, and then let your soul enjoy an inspiring evening of Handel’s finest choral and orchestral music.

• 4:00 pm - Reserved Parking
• 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm - Hor d’ouveres & Festive drinks
• 6:30 pm - Reserved Seating at the Lecture in the Parish Hall on Lecture on Handel’s Messiah by Dr. Robert L. Kendrick, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Music, University of Chicago
• 7:00 pm - Doors Open
• 7:30 pm Reserved Concert Seating in the First Balcony

Reserve Seating Online »
Or Mail in a Reservation Form

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this be a complete performance of The Messiah?

This will be a performance of the Christmas portion of the Messiah, highlighted by other famous and favourite movements of the Messiah.

About what time will our delightful evening of music conclude?

This concert performance will be approximately 1 1/2 hours. A complete musical performance of the full masterpiece requires nearly three hours.

I want to get tickets to The Messiah. How can I get tickets?

You can pre-order tickets in three ways:

1) Call toll-free at 1-800-838-3006
2) Order online
3) Fill out a Reservation Form and mail in your payment.

Tickets will be available at the door the night of the concert, but seating is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your tickets early.

I have never heard Handel’s Messiah. Why should I attend?

Handel, upon reading these Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments (August, 1741) was overcome by their power. The music began dancing and exploding within him. He immediately shut himself in and worked night and day, often forgetting to eat. His servants could, from time to time, hear his sobs as he labored over the inspired text. He finished the original libretto and score in 24 days. Handel’s Messiah is a veritable masterpiece!

Where will the 6:30pm lecture be presented?

Our 6:30pm lecture, which will be held in the Parish Hall underneath the nave of St. John Cantius Church, will be delivered by Dr. Robert L Kendrick, Department Chair and Professor of Music at the University of Chicago.

Can you tell me more about the professor presenting the lecture at 6:30pm?

Dr. Robert L Kendrick, of the University of Chicago, is a music historian specializing in music of early modern Europe and its intersections with religion, politics, gender, urban culture, and fine arts. He is author of Celestial Sirens: Nuns and Music in Early Modern Milan (1996, Oxford) and The Sounds of Milan, 1585-1650 (2002, Oxford). Read more…