Edward Markward will lead the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra in the Messiah Saturday at St. Joseph Church in Providence.

The Providence Journal / Sandor Bodo

A lot of people think it just isn’t the holiday season without performances of Messiah, Handel’s magnificent recounting of the birth and life of Jesus. And the first of two local performances with a professional orchestra takes place this weekend. (The second chance to hear Messiah is Dec 20, when the Rhode Island Philharmonic joins forces with the Providence Singers.)

On hand Saturday night at 7:30 will be the Rhode Island Civic Chorale and Orchestra. The concert is at St. Joseph Church, 92 Hope St. in the Fox Point section of Providence.

Longtime Civic Chorale director Edward Markward will lead the singers, and the soloists will include soprano Diana McVey, mezzo Hillary Nicholson, tenor Brian Cheney and Donald Wilkinson, baritone. Tickets range from $25 to $7 for students. Call (401) 521-5670.

— Channing Gray