Handel: Messiah

Recent seasons have seen London Concert Choir build up its experience and enthusiasm for dramatic performances in a diverse range of works, including Gluck’s Orfeo, Hollywood musical My Fair Lady, Verdi’s Requiem, Britten’s War Requiem and most recently Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem. The choir now looks forward to presenting a fresh interpretation of Handel’s Messiah which will reveal the drama of this well-loved oratorio as well as its contemplative dimension.

Firm favourites of the classical choral repertoire such as For unto us a child is born, How beautiful are the feet, I know that my Redeemer liveth and the Hallelujah chorus are embedded in a rich score telling of the ancient prophesy of the coming of a Messiah and the belief in its fulfilment in the life of Christ.

This will be the first time that London Concert Choir has sung Messiah under its Music Director Mark Forkgen. Aided by a superb cast of soloists and the authentic sound of Counterpoint period instrumental ensemble, Mark and the choir will offer a performance of the work that will both entertain and inspire – exactly as Handel himself expressly wished.

In the spirit of the composer’s own early performances of Messiah which were given in aid of the Foundling Hospital, at this concert there will be a collection for the Chance for Children Trust which provides therapeutic arts programmes for children who have experienced trauma, including the loss of a close relative.