This is Messiah as it was meant to sound: boy trebles rather than a massed adult chorus, in a stone nave a short walk from the Rockefeller tree. Saint Thomas runs one of the only residential choir schools left in America, and the sound its boys make in the Hallelujah chorus is the reason New Yorkers book this over the bigger halls. If you want the Advent version of Messiah rather than the concert-hall spectacle, come here.
What to expect
Doors open into a dim stone nave; seating is pew-based and sightlines matter less than acoustics, which are excellent almost everywhere. The performance runs long with an interval, and the audience traditionally rises for the Hallelujah chorus. Expect a mix of regular parishioners and visitors coming straight from midtown shopping.
Good to know
- The church is at Fifth Avenue and 53rd Street; the E/M to Fifth Av-53 St puts you at the door
- Pews are wooden and backless in places, so a cushion or a coat under you helps
- Arrive early if you want a seat forward of the crossing, where the trebles carry best
- It is a working church, so dress is smart-casual and photography during the performance is not welcome
- Pair it with the Fifth Avenue store windows a block north for a full evening
- Step-free entry is available; contact the concerts office in advance for accessible seating
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Common questions
Is this a sing-along Messiah?
No. This is a seated performance by the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys with orchestra, not an audience sing-in.
How long does it run?
Handel's oratorio typically runs close to three hours with an interval, though performing editions vary.
Can children come?
Yes, and many families do, but it is a long sit; older children who can handle a full concert do best.
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