Opera soloists and 200 choristers bring to life Handel’s masterpiece … for one night only
Originally composed as an oratorio for Lent, Handel’s Messiah is now regarded as an indispensable lead-up to Christmas, with this year’s production at QPAC expected to enthrall and delight.
More than 200 young choristers will join some of Australia’s leading operatic voices when Handel’s Messiah returns to QPAC’s Concert Hall for one spectacular performance this November.
Under the direction of conductor Dr Graeme Morton, the Brisbane Chamber Choir and Brisbane Chamber Players will unite with soprano Emma Pearson, mezzo-soprano Stephanie Dillon, tenor Andrew Goodwin and baritone Samuel Dale Johnson for the one-night-only concert on November 30.
The internationally experienced soloists have performed with many of the world’s leading opera companies, orchestras and ensembles, from La Scala Milan and the Royal Opera House to the Academy of Ancient Music and Australia’s major symphony orchestras.
From its luminous opening to the resounding “Hallelujah” chorus, Messiah remains one of the great works of the classical repertoire — combining moments of grandeur and celebration with music of extraordinary tenderness and emotional power.
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George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) composed Messiah over 24 days for the Charitable Musical Society of Dublin. Its premiere performance on April 134, 1742, raised money to support three charities – the Society for Relieving Prisoners, the Charitable Infirmary and Mercer’s Hospital.
Messiah was not intended for church performance – and it wasn’t meant to be your usual theatre experience. English oratorio performances during the 17th century often accommodated charity events. These un-staged musical settings of religious stories provided an edifying alternative to opera for entertainment during Lent.
While Messiah has been performed continually since its premiere, in various arrangements and contexts all over the world, the work has found an enduring place in Christmas repertoire. Annual performances of Handel’s Messiah around Christmas reliably attract audiences beyond symphony subscribers or concert-going regulars.
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Dr Morton, conductor and artistic director of Brisbane Chamber Choir, said the enduring appeal of Messiah extended far beyond its most famous chorus.
“Messiah is one of those rare works that seems to belong to every generation. We know its great choruses, but Handel’s score is full of surprises, equally dramatic, intimate, joyful and profoundly moving.
“After more than 300 years, it still has the power to stop us in our tracks.”
Together, the soloists, musicians and choristers will take audiences through the full emotional journey of Handel’s masterpiece, from intimate moments of reflection to passages of overwhelming energy and celebration.
Handel’s Messiah plays the Concert Hall, QPAC, November 30, 7pm.
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