The line up for the annual Messiah fest is becoming clearer.  Traditional heavyweights, the Toronto Symphony and Tafelmusik go head to head.  The Symphony’s line up of soloists is Klara Ek, soprano; Lawrence Zazzo, countertenor (which may not please the traditionalists or the mezzo fanatics); John Tessier, tenor and John Relyea, bass-baritone.  The chorus is the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and Christopher Warren-Green conducts.  Dates are the 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December at Roy Thomson Hall.  Tafelmusik field Dame Emma Kirkby, soprano (buy now while stocks last?); Laura Pudwell, mezzo-soprano; Colin Balzer, tenor and Tyler Duncan, baritone.  Ivars Taurin conducts.  Performances are 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st December at Koerner Hall.  On the 22nd Tafelmusik also have their traditional singalong Messiah at Massey Hall.

Then there is cheeky new entrant Against the Grain Theatre who present a choreographed version directed by Joel Ivany  with dancer/choreographer Jennifer Nichols.  The soloists here are Jacqueline Woodley, soprano; Krisztina Szabó, alto; Isaiah Bell, tenor and Geoffrey Sirett, bass.  Topher Mokrzewski will conduct with the AtG orchestra and chorus.  This one plays December 14th and 15th at rock venue The Opera House on Queen East.  It’s billed as a 19+ event so I guess the bar will be open.  This will likely be the hottest ticket of the holiday season so book early.

I’m sure there will be more…