The Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra is staging three holiday-themed concerts this December. The first is this Sunday, Dec. 4, the annual tradition of the beloved masterpiece, "Handel’s Messiah" returns to The VETS. Due to popular demand, Messiah will be performed in an afternoon matinee at 3 p.m. Providence Singers Artistic Director Christine Noel will lead the Orchestra, Providence Singers and a stellar assembly of soloists featuring soprano Maya Kherani, mezzo-soprano Emily Marvosh, tenor Brian Giebler, and bass Andrew Garland.

One weekend later, concertgoers will have two chances to hear the iconic strains of Vivaldi’s "The Four Seasons." The performance on Friday, Dec. 9, at 6:30 p.m., will showcase Vivaldi along with Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 (Paris) in a casual Amica Rush Hour concert. On Saturday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m. the philharmonic will present Vivaldi and Mozart as well as the RI Philharmonic premiere of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Concerto for Violin & Oboe, featuring the RI Philharmonic Orchestra principal oboist Cheryl Bishkoff and Guest Conductor Jaime Laredo as soloists in a TACO Classical Series concert.

“This year marks a unique December for the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra. Two holiday concert weekends in one month which are sure to bring the Holiday spirit to The VETS as only the RI Philharmonic can!” states David Beauchesne, Executive Director, RI Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. “We are excited to welcome Christine Noel back to the podium to lead the annual tradition of Handel’s Messiah. We also are looking forward to welcoming Jaime Laredo to make his debut with the RI Philharmonic Orchestra as both performer and conductor of one of the most cherished pieces ever composed, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.” All performances will be at The VETS, Avenue of the Arts, in Providence.

Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.riphil.org or by calling 401-248-7000.