Handel’s “Messiah” is one of the most recognizable works in the history of music and synonymous with the solemnity of Christmas. Tradition has it that with the final chorus “Hallelujah” audiences must rise, as did King George II in 1743 during the London premiere.
On December 22 and 23, the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Felipe Aguirre and accompanied by the Choir of the Ópera de Colombia will perform Handel’s seasonal oratorio in the Teatro Colón (Calle 10 No.5-32). The performance on December 22 starts at 7:30 pm and on December 23 at 5:00 pm. Tickets are priced $14,000 pesos and are available at the theatre’s box office or online agents tuboleta.com
On December 12, the Dominican violinist Aisha Syed will perform with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo (Calle 170 No.67-51). The concert begins at 7:00 pm and tickets range between $40,000 pesos and $200,000. Syed marked her debut this year at Carnegie Hall, New York.
On December 15, the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra will host their Christmas Concert at the Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo. Tickets for this performance cost $40,000 pesos and $70,000.
Having just finished their first U.S tour, the carranga rock band Rolling Ruanas will perform at Teatro Nacional La Castellana (Calle 95 No.47-15). Tickets: $58,000.
December is an ideal month to catch up with art and visit museums in the city. Here, a listing of exhibitions that run until January:
Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia (MAMU). La Habitacion Compartida. Recent acquisitions of the 19th and 20th-century art collection of the Banco de la República. Calle 11 No.4-41. Free admission.
Museo Nacional. Tiempo sin olvido: Dialogos desde el mundo prehispanico. New exhibition space of pre-Hispanic objects. Cra 7 No.28-66. Admission: $4,000 Adults, $2,000 Children.
Museo Colonial. Temporary exhibits and permanent collections of colonial art. Cra 6 No. 9 – 77. Admission: $4,000 Adults. $2,000 Children.
Museo de la Independencia Casa del Florero. Quién es quién en la Independencía (Who’s who in the Independence). Cra 7 No.11-28.
Gallery NC-Arte. Installation by artist Delcy Morelos, titled ENIE: earth in Uitoto language. Cra 5 No.22B-76. Free admission.
The gallery El Museo (Calle 81 No.11-41) is showing the Maestros (Masters) collection, that includes works by Alejandro Obregon, Fernando Botero, among others. Free admission. Until January 12.
