Handel’s ‘Messiah’ on Easter Sunday in aid of medical research

George Frideric Handel’s most loved and joyous oratorio The Messiah will be performed by the Goldberg Ensemble under the direction of Michael Laus on Easter Sunday, 16 April at St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta at 7pm.

This special fund-raising concert is being held in aid of medical research and is organised by the University of Malta’s Research, Innovation and Development Trust with the support of APS Bank and Teatru Manoel.

The Messiah will be executed as Handel originally intended it – for single strings and a small group of singers. Leading Maltese vocalists, soprano Gillian Zammit, mezzosoprano Clare Massa, tenor Edward Camilleri and bass Albert Buttigieg will be singing the solo arias. The instrumental ensemble will be led by violinist Nadia Debono.

Handel’s Messiah has been described as “one of man’s grandest musical achievements”. It is traditionally performed worldwide either during the Christmas or Easter period, with its Hallelujah Chorus being one of the more recognisable passages.

Over the 273 years from its composition, performances of The Messiah progressively strayed further from Handel’s original composition, attempting to make choirs and orchestras uncharacteristically large, often with “new” parts created for extra instruments.

The Easter 2017 version in Malta, 258 years and two days after his death, will be seeking to adhere to the original as intended by the German, later naturalised British, baroque composer.

The Research Trust was estab- lished in 2011 as a joint initiative between the University of Malta and the Government of Malta. The Trust raises funds to sustain and reinforce research activity within the various departments of the university. Entrance tickets at €25 may be booked from Teatru Manoel booking office, email: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or http://booking.teatrumanoel.co m.mt. Ticket hotline: 2124 6389, 7941 2139.