The Santa Barbara Choral Society delivered a creative bilingual performance of George Frideric Handel’s classic oratorio “Messiah” last weekend at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Led by artistic director and conductor JoAnne Wasserman, the “Messiah/El Mesías” performances on April 12 and 13 featured a dual-language approach, with selections sung in both English and Spanish.

The concert included all of Part I and selected pieces from Parts II and III of the oratorio, accompanied by a 21-piece orchestra.

Four accomplished soloists — soprano Christina Bristow, tenor J.J. Lopez, mezzosoprano Christina Pezzarossi and bass Colin Ramsey — enhanced the musical experience.

The Choral Society utilized portions of a Spanish libretto by Mario Montenegro that first premiered in San Diego in 2020, bringing what organizers described as “a contemporary and culturally inclusive dimension to this classical masterpiece.”

Programs provided full translations of Montenegro’s Spanish libretto alongside the traditional English text, allowing audience members to follow along regardless of their language background.

The Palm Sunday performance concluded the weekend’s musical offerings at the church.