The New Mexico  Philharmonic presents its annual performances of Handel’s Messiah on Dec. 9 and 10, 7:30 p.m. at Immanuel Presbyterian Church and Dec.11, 3 p.m. at V. Sue Cleveland High School in  Rio Rancho.

Conducted by Bradley Ellingboe, this majestic piece will be sung by the Coro Lux  Chamber Chorus, according to a press release.

Handel composed Messiah in Dublin, as he was facing the demise of his formerly stellar career.

Seeking a new approach, he was determined to embrace the new English tradition of oratorio, and in  doing so, created one of the most popular and oft-performed pieces in classical music history. Upon  completion of the famous “Hallelujah” chorus, he ran downstairs and exclaimed to a servant, “I think I  did see Heaven before me and the great God Himself!” Many singers and audience members may  not verbalize it that way, but often report feeling strong emotions as the majesty of the music washes  over them.

Ellingboe has led a wide-ranging career in the world of singing, including accomplishments  as a choral conductor, soloist, composer, scholar, and teacher, the press release said. As a choral conductor, he has led  festival choruses in 35 states and 14 countries. As a bass-baritone soloist, he has sung under such  conductors as Robert Shaw, Helmuth Rilling, and Sir David Willcocks. Ellingboe has more than 140  pieces of music in print, including the Requiem for chorus and orchestra, which has been performed  more than 300 times in this country and Europe, and his newest work, Star Song, which had its New  York debut (Lincoln Center) in May of 2014 and its European debut in July of that year.

Coro Lux is a community chorus based in Albuquerque, founded in the fall of 2015. Under Artistic  Director Bradley Ellingboe, the chorus has grown in size and scope. Coro Lux has performed in Santa  Fe with the Chicago Arts Orchestra, invited high school singers to join them in performing Lauridsen’s  Lux Aeterna, offered two concerts at the lovely Casa Rondeña, presented the live radio drama It’s a  Wonderful Life, and had a triumphant presentation of the previously mentioned Lauridsen in Carnegie  Hall. The 2018/2019 season revolved around a theme of The Better Angels of Our Nature, much  needed in our world today.

Tickets are available online at nmphil.org. Purchasing online is strongly suggested. Immanuel Presbyterian Church is located at 114 Carlisle  NE, Albuquerque 87106. V. Sue Cleveland High School is located at 4800 Cleveland Heights  Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144.

To learn more about upcoming performances  or to become a volunteer, please visit nmphil.org.