The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season.

For the purposes of this article, we will focus solely on vocal performances.

The company will present “Classical Christmas: George Handel’s “Messiah.” The performance will be conducted by Matthew Kraemer. The showcase is set to take place at the Orpheum Theater.

Performance Date: Dec. 14, 2023

The company also announced that Kraemer will be its new Music Director, taking over for Carlos Miguel Prieto, who is leaving the company after 17 seasons at the helm. Kraemer will take over starting in July and will be introduced in mid-September.

The conductor is an Indiana native who led the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra as Music Director and Principal Conductor starting in 2015. He has also worked as Music Director of the Butler County Symphony in Pennsylvania and the Artistic Director of Orchestra Indiana.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I am incredibly honored to join the musicians of The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra,” Kraemer said in an official press statement. “The LPO is part of the cultural fabric of New Orleans and Louisiana, and together we will continue to expand its impact and reach. Also, working with young musicians is incredibly meaningful in my life, and I look forward to creating extraordinary experiences for New Orleans youth and their families.  I am grateful for the LPO’s trust and cannot wait to explore the riches of this community with my family.”