Archive Page Spring Concert 2023 Händel's "Messiah"
Online Poster
Spring Concert - 01 04 23
The Concert Programme:
Please click on the programme for a better view
G. F. Handel: Messiah
Conductor: Peter Brown; Organist: Alan Gidney
Claire Boulter: Soprano
Sam Marston: Tenor
Beth Mackay: Alto
Patrick Owston: Bass
Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is one of the best loved pieces of sacred music sung in English. Our record audience closely followed the thrilling music, some sang along and many stood for the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus and gave a standing ovation. The night was something special.
Choirs mostly sing ‘Messiah’ at the start of Advent as it is culturally connected with the celebration of Jesus’ birth. The inspirational oratorio covers the birth, life, passion and resurrection of Jesus; we sang it the day before Palm Sunday and the result was an emotional experience for everyone involved.
It is hard for visiting soloists [we had 3 new ones], who arrive not knowing the other soloists, professional musicians, nor the choir. At rehearsal we knew we were in for a treat when Sam Marston started to sing his first tenor recitative and aria ‘Comfort ye’ & ‘Every valley’. You could sense it, a desire to deliver their very best performance and throughout, a shared joy of singing with such stunning, young soloists. The musicians were also brilliant and ADCS rose to the challenge, too. We were delighted when the soloists sang the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus and ‘Worthy is the lamb that was slain’, closing the performance with the ‘Amen’.
Peter was very pleased with the clarity of the choir’s singing and people commented on the diction and blend of dynamic contrasts. Although the choruses were quite spritely, there was always control and the performance flowed; the music had an unusual dramatic force.
My personal favourites: the tenor, Sam Marston’s first pieces which set the amazing standard; the graceful poise of Claire Boulter’s soprano ‘I know that my Redeemer liveth’ & her beautiful duet with Beth Mackay ‘He shall feed his flock like a shepherd’; Beth Mackay’s marvellously theatrical alto aria ‘He was despised and rejected’ and Patrick Owston’s bass aria ‘The trumpet shall sound’ with the exceptional trumpet accompaniment.
Thank you to Alan Gidney whose confident chamber organ playing underpinned it all and to our gifted music director Peter Brown.
This was my first ‘Messiah’. It was a pleasure to take part in such a wonderful performance. Thank you to everyone.
Please click on image for a better view of the soloists
The Chamber Orchestra:
Violins:
James Dickenson, Karen Wigham and Julia Boulton
Viola:
Chrissie Slater
Cello:
Ele Leckie
Trumpet:
Dick Stacey
Chamber Organ:
Alan Gidney
Thank you to Jean Sawyer who organised the varied display of old copies of ‘Messiah’, one was dated 1847 but each one had its own story to tell. They created great interest before and after the performance.
Happy memories! Thank you for looking back over a previous concert- you are a star for exploring our website!!
Please use the button to return to the landing page if you want to explore further!
