Augustana Oratorio Society to perform Handel's 'Messiah'

The Augustana College Department of Music presents “Messiah,” on Feb. 22, 2026, at 3 p.m. in Centennial Hall.

George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah” will be performed by the Augustana Oratorio Society, conducted by Dr. Jon Hurty, director of choral activities. Soloists are Michelle Areyzaga, soprano; Dashon Burton, bass baritone; Stephen Soph, tenor; and Jessye Wright, mezzo soprano. A professional orchestra will accompany the performance.

“We are so excited to be presenting Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in February,” said Dr. Hurty. “We have an amazing lineup of soloists — all who have sung ‘Messiah’ here at Augustana in previous performances. The chorus has been rehearsing since early October, so will be in excellent shape for the performance. We are grateful to Kim and Donna Brunner for their generous support of the continued tradition of ‘Messiah’ at Augustana College.”

The Augustana Oratorio Society was formed in 1880, with its first concert being “Messiah” in 1881. The Augustana Oratorio Society currently consists of community members, Augustana students and members of the Augustana Choir. The ensemble is celebrated for exploring the riches of choral-orchestral literature. “Messiah” is performed approximately every four years.

Presented in February 2026 through the generous support of Kim and Donna Brunner.

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR is a proud media sponsor.

Tickets are available at www.augustana.edu/tickets or by calling 309-794-7306. 
For additional information, please contact the Ticket Office at tickets@augustana.edu or 309-794-7306.

PERFORMERS

Conductor – Dr. Jon Hurty
Dr. Jon Hurty is director of choral activities and the Henry Veld Professor of Music at Augustana and an internationally active conductor and clinician.

Soprano – Michelle Areyzaga
Michelle Areyzaga has performed with major orchestras across the United States and abroad and is a noted interpreter of Leonard Bernstein’s music.

Bass Baritone – Dashon Burton
Three-time Grammy Award-winning Dashon Burton performs widely with leading United States orchestras and is a professor of voice at Vanderbilt University.

Tenor – Steven Soph
Steven Soph, praised by The Washington Post and The New York Times, performs repertoire ranging from Baroque masterworks to contemporary music.

Mezzo-Soprano – Jessye Wright
Jessye Wright has appeared with Lyric Opera of Chicago, at Carnegie Hall and with major orchestras throughout the United States.