In what has become a Christmas tradition, the Dakota Valley Symphony and Chorus will twice perform George Frideric Handel's "Messiah" next month in Burnsville.

The Dec. 7 concert in the Ames Center features founding director and conductor Stephen J. Ramsey conducting the classic for the 14th year. With a chorus nearly twice its previous size, plus four prominent soloists, the concerts this year promise to be especially dramatic and inspiring.

Soprano Sofia Ardalan, for instance, will perform in Verdi's "Requiem" at Orchestra Hall in April 2015. Ardalan has studied with renowned vocal coaches in Germany and Minneapolis, and has been finalist or semifinalist in several international voice competitions.

Tenor Rick Penning is a past first-place winner of the Metropolitan Opera district competition, and has performed nearly 40 roles with opera companies in the U.S. He maintains several voice studies in the Twin Cities area.

Mezzo-soprano Jeannine Johnson was director of music at several Minnesota churches, and has performed gospel and blues, jazz, and R & B with many groups in the Twin Cities. She is a songwriter and recording artist, as well; her debut CD is titled "Letting Go."

Bass Jake Endres has appeared with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Guthrie Theater, the Children's Theatre Company, History Theatre, GREAT Children's Theatre, Skylark Opera, Park Square Theatre, Paul Bunyan Playhouse, the Sapphire Chamber Consort, Frank Theatre, and the Rose Ensemble. His performances include leading roles in "The Magic Flute," "Tosca," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "The Merry Widow."

Penning

Conductor Ramsey told me: "We are prepared to captivate our audiences from the beginning, when the tenor sings 'Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,' to the end, when the chorus sings the final 'Amen.' "

An added bonus is that the performance will take place in the exquisite 1,000-seat concert theater of the Ames Center, with its modern amenities. Parking is free.

Jerry Goodrich is an occasional guest columnist who lives in Prior Lake.