Amici: Handel’s Messiah

The Amici Choir
Bristol Ensemble
Elizabeth Watts soprano
Louise Innes alto
Eamonn Mulhall tenor
Frederick Long bass
Andrew Trewhella conductor

Rehearsals have started for Amici’s performance of Handel’s Messiah. Overall, that will be about three months of weekly group rehearsal and private learning at home. Handel wrote the whole thing, vocal lines and orchestral parts in three WEEKS! His servant reported that he was in a composing frenzy and hardly took time to eat or sleep, so intent he was on the task.

The piece was first performed in Dublin in 1742, a performance in aid of local charities – it raised £400 – that’s the 2024 equivalent of £75,000!

What is it about this work which makes it such a sure-fire success? Its music of course – it is full of well-known and memorable tunes, arias and choruses. ‘And the Glory of the Lord’, ‘For Unto Us a Child is Born’, ‘All We Like Sheep’, ‘I Know that My Redeemer Liveth’, ‘The Trumpet Shall Sound’ and of course ‘Hallellujah!’ Its message – God’s love shown in the birth and sacrifice of His Son.

The music is sublime – but the ‘forgotten man’ of ‘Messiah’ must be Charles Jennens, whose compilation of scriptural texts to form the words of the piece so inspired Handel to write his three-week tour de force.

Amici’s performance boasts a magnificent line-up of soloists. The incomparable Elizabeth Watts is the soprano and she will be ably supported by Louise Innes (Alto), Eamonn Mulhall (Tenor) and Frederick Long (Bass). The orchestral forces are the superb Bristol Ensemble who have supported many of our concerts in the past and we welcome them once more. The whole event will be conducted by Andrew Trewhella.

Tickets are available NOW, at the Minster, via the Amici website (www.amicichoir.org.uk) and from the Tourist Visitor Centre in Taunton (01823 340470). £22 gives you the best seating and view from the centre section; the standard seating is £18. Don’t delay – this is an event not to be missed.

Please note that the starting time for this concert is 7pm – doors open at 6.30pm