National Symphony Orchestra: Handel's Messiah

The National Symphony Orchestra presents Handel’s *Messiah*, the iconic holiday oratorio, with early-music specialist Richard Egarr making his NSO conducting debut. The performance explores the work beyond its famous “Hallelujah” chorus, ranging from hushed and intimate passages to music of roaring, wondrous intensity. Whether experienced as an annual tradition, a piece familiar from singing, or a first live encounter, the performance invites audiences to hear Handel’s celebrated work anew.

When: Friday, December 18, 2026, and Saturday, December 19, 2026

Showtimes: 8:00 p.m. both evenings

Conductor: Richard Egarr

Venue: Dekelboum Concert Hall at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center

Tickets: Premium seating is $92 plus a $5 booking fee; Level 1 is $77 plus a $5 booking fee; Level 2 is $63 plus a $5 booking fee; Level 3 is $47 plus a $5 booking fee; and Level 4 is $22 plus a $5 booking fee.

Seating: Reserved seating with multiple price levels.

On-sale date: Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, August 28, 2026.

Discounts: This event does not qualify for The Clarice’s standard discounts, including packages, promotional codes, and free-ticket offers.

Livestream: No livestream is offered.

Accessibility: Available services include wheelchair-accessible seating, size-inclusive seating, large-print programs, assisted-listening devices, adult and child-friendly sensory packs, and quiet spaces. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning may be available for select events or by request at least six weeks in advance.

Ticket office: The Clarice Ticket Office is open Monday through Friday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. and is closed on weekends. The ticket office can be reached at tickets-theclarice@umd.edu, with replies sent Monday through Friday.