Concert offers highlights from Handel’s breathtaking Messiah
Christ’s Hospital Choral Society will be singing in the Angus Ross Gala Concert, a celebration of music on Sunday, March 24.
Spokeswoman Esther Clark said: “The concert will feature highlights from Handel’s well-loved Messiah, one of the most enduring choral works of all time. It promises to be a real treat with the beautiful Worthy is the Lamb of God, the rousing Hallelujah, the dramatic Amen Chorus, and plenty more. For the concert the Choral Society will be joined by the school’s Chapel Choir as well as professional soloists.
“Preceding Messiah, Grecian pupils will be playing two concertos. They will be accompanied by the school’s Symphony Orchestra, working with the English Chamber Orchestra.
“Handel composed Messiah in 1741 and it had its premiere a year later in Dublin. He continued working on the piece, though, and it was the 1754 version that we know today. Librettist Charles Jennens adapted words from the King James Bible to tell the story of Jesus’s life, death, resurrection, and eventual triumph.
“The music illustrates the story with passages of passionate rage to pastoral serenity. The rousing Hallelujah Chorus so enthralled King George II at the London premiere that he rose to his feet in reverence, setting the tradition to still stand up now.
“George Frideric Handel was born in 1685 as Georg Friedrich Händel. His father harboured ambitions for his son to become a lawyer and strongly opposed the young Georg getting involved with music. Was it his mother who did encourage him? He developed his skills; when at eight or nine years of age he played the Palace Chapel’s Court organ, Duke Johann Adolf was so impressed that he recommended the boy be given musical teaching. Around three years later Handel outperformed his tutor, Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow. In 1710 he was given the impressive post of Kapellmeister, director of music, to the German Prince Georg. The prince was Queen Anne’s closest living protestant relative; when she died he became King George I of Great Britain and Ireland.
“Handel became a British subject in 1727 and anglicised his name. He was a prolific composer, he was commissioned to write four anthems for the Coronation ceremony of King George II, he was Composer to the Chapel Royal. He wrote more than 40 operas in 30 years.”
Esther added: “Christ’s Hospital Choral Society’s Christmas Carol Concert invariably supports a charity. This year the choir was delighted to present a cheque for £1016.06 to Medical Detection Dogs. The charity revolves around dogs’ incredible sense of smell.
“One branch works on the development of a device for early-diagnosis of cancer, Parkinson’s, and a number of other illnesses. The other branch trains dogs to alert sufferers of life-threatening illnesses to an imminent episode, mainly Type 1 Diabetes. The dogs all live very happy family lives – and love their work!
“Please visit www. MedicalDetectionDogs.org. uk for lots of fascinating facts or to request a presentation.”
The Angus Ross Gala Concert is in Big School, Christ’s Hospital, on Sunday, March 24 (at 7pm). Call 01403 247434.
Turn to page 45 to find out more about the school’s collaboration with the English Chamber Orchestra.