HANDEL'S MESSIAH This year marks the Minnesota Orchestra's 45th consecutive annual holiday presentation of "Messiah." Adding excitement this year will be music director Osmo Vänskä's first local performances of Handel's oratorio. Another novelty will be the contralto part performed by countertenor Brian Asawa. He is joined by soprano Klara Ek, tenor and Minnesota native Thomas Cooley and baritone Philip Cutlip. Also featured is the always reliable Minnesota Chorale. (11 a.m. Wed., 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat., Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; 7:30 p.m. Thu., Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Av., St. Paul, $22-$55, 612-371-5656.)
WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD
