Details
St Francis of Assisi Church
Ravenswood Ave
West Wickham
London
BR4 0PW
England
Programme
George Frideric Handel – Messiah, HWV 56
Performers
Dan James – Conductor
Synne Dyvik – soprano
Steven Berryman – Tenor
Matthew Wood – Bass
Hayes Symphony Orchestra
Brighton Voices
Other concerts in this Series (+)
Programme Note
With the decline in public taste for Italian opera during the 1730s Handel's attention moved towards English-language oratorio and in 1741 Handel received Charles Jennens' text for the Messiah. In a mere 24 days he had completed the bulk of the composition. Surprisingly, perhaps, the first performance was in Dublin and not London, although it was warmly received at the Great Music Hall in Fishamble Street. Londoners reacted more coolly to the work and it was some time before the Messiah's popularity grew to the extent that we are familiar today.
In a new association Dan James conducts the Hayes Symphony Orchestra with the Brighton Voices. The soloists are Matthew Wood (bass), Synne Dyvik (soprano) and Steven Berryman (tenor).