Handel's Messiah

To begin with, you can sit in the audience and enjoy one of Western music's most popular and enduring works, Handel's Messiah. An oratorio by George Frideric Handel that is based on a libretto by Charles Jennens and includes the well-known chorus, "Hallelujah", the work is the composer's most famous creation and is among the most popular works in Western choral literature

Taiwan's National Experimental Chorus, under the lead of world-renowned conductor Agnes Grossmann, will conduct the performance, which is destined to be a classic and will leave an everlasting experience on the audience.

A world-acclaimed veteran conductor with more than twenty years conducting experience, Grossmann has been Artistic Director of several prestigious organizations including the Vienna Choir Boys.

Talented Taiwanese singer Jou Yuh-chyi will sing the soprano role while the tenor lead will be sung by Chih Ting John Weng.

The one and only show will be staged on December 20 in the National Concert Hall.

Welly Yang's Broadway Show

After bathing in the beauty of the sanctity of the Messiah, you can change the tone and enjoy a totally different style of entertainment as American Broadway and Asian stage singer/actor Welly Yang leads you all the way to Broadway.

Yang, working with well-known composer/music director David O and Broadway/Hollywood star Cady Huffman, will present some of the best known movie hits and musical classics, such as "Phantom of the Opera," "Mamma Mia," in a special celebration of Christmas.

The talented Welly Yang was first cast in 1993 in the leading role of Thuy in Miss Saigon, his debut performance on Broadway. Since then he has starred in the contemporary opera Ceiling/Sky, Cole Porter's musical Aladdin and the Off-Broadway show Falsettoland to wildly approving reviews.

Meanwhile, Huffman has won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for her performance in The Producers. This great combination of the East and the West on a stage full of superstars is an outstanding sampling of great musicals and an absolute must-see for Christmas.

The shows will be held on December 25 and 26 at National Concert Hall.

Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

Last but not least, for those who are not yet sure where to spend the New Year's Countdown but who may be tired of the ordinary over-crowded countdown party, visit the National Symphony Orchestra for its annual New Year's Eve Concert to bask in the music of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9.

Completed in 1824, the symphony is one of the best known works in the Western classical repertoire and is considered one of Beethoven's greatest masterpieces and widely played in New Year's Eve concerts around the world.

G?nther Herbig, the artistic adviser and principal guest conductor of the NSO, together with the Taipei Philharmonic Chorus and a group of talented local and foreign singers and pianist, plus Chu Tai-li as soprano and Steven Harrison as tenor, will bring you an unforgettable New Year countdown experience and offer you the best regards for the upcoming 2010!

The concert will be held first on December 31 at 10 p.m., then on January 1, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.