Originally premiered in 1992 at New York City’s Avery Fisher Hall, Too Hot to Handel offers audiences a fresh twist on a familiar holiday favorite. Originally conceived by Marin Alsop with collaborators Gary Anderson and Bob Christianson, the revised version of Handel’s Messiah breaks the traditional bounds of classical music.  Maestra Alsop explains, “We started talking about this idea of re-envisioning Handel’s work, such that the DNA of the piece remained the same—the melodies, harmonies, structure and text—however, it is all treated differently. We’ve expanded the traditional orchestra to include a full rhythm section, gospel piano, electric guitars and a Hammond B-3 jazz organ.  It becomes an active listening experience, when you're allowed to stand up or clap your hands."      

Hailed by the New York Post as “the jazziest, most soulful reinterpretation of Handel’s Messiah you’ll ever hear,” Too Hot To Handel captures the essential core of Handel's famous piece and reinterprets it with chords of R&B, jazz, and gospel. The end result is a dynamic and uplifting celebration that must be experienced to be appreciated.  Over two centuries after George Frideric Handel premiered his grand oratorio (in 1742), audiences are still enjoying the Messiah...and sold-out performances are still swinging to Too Hot To Handel.

Originally conceived by Marin Alsop with Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson.

Bob Christianson is a composer, arranger, keyboard player and conductor.  He was nominated for an Emmy for his music for ABC Sports, and has scored many shows for Discovery Channel including Blue Angels - A Year in the Life and Secrets of the National Parks.  During the last four seasons, he was the most “in demand” composer for HBO’s Sex & The City series.  Other TV credits include The Equalizer and Gimme A Break. In the concert arena, Bob has had the good fortune to work on several projects with longtime friend, Marin Alsop, his favorite being Too Hot To Handel with co-arranger Gary Anderson.

Gary Anderson is an acclaimed composer, producer and artist, known for being diverse and has accumulated a wide range of work over the past three decades to prove it.  He has created music from the world-known themes of ABC and CNN to the critically acclaimed underscore for the animation of Ralph Bakshi and Matt Groening. In network and cable television, Gary’s music can be heard on ABC, CNN, CBS, PBS and NBC.  And don’t forget Bart Simpson’s favorite, the theme from the Itchy & Scratchy Show.