Friday and Saturday. Holiday traditions are a universal lot. Every city does its big choral numbers and huge brass celebrations during December. But the Colorado Symphony Orchestra’s “Too Hot to Handel” is a Denver special. It was developed for audiences here, and it features former CSO music director Marin Alsop, a favorite of local music lovers. Alsop brings her own spin to classical favorites, culminating in a jazz-gospel-R&B version of the “Messiah” at the heart of this program. This year’s lineup includes soprano Cynthia Renee, mezzo La Tanya Hall and tenor Lawrence Clayton with the Colorado Symphony Chorus, under the hand of Mary Louise Burke. $25-$88. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Boettcher Concert Hall, 14th and Curtis streets. 303-623-7876 or
Ray Mark Rinaldi
