Leicester Bach Choir Presents Handel’s Messiah: A Musical Tradition Continues (Leicester Mercury)
Tickets are flying off the (online / offline) shelves for the Leicester Bach Choir’s much-anticipated performance of Handel’s Messiah on Saturday, 9th December 2023. With over half of the seats already sold, both online and through choir members, this promises to be a remarkable evening of music that continues the choir’s rich history with this iconic work. Since its first performance of the Messiah in 1936, this will mark the choir’s fourth time bringing this masterpiece to life for their Leicester audience.
The performance will take place in the beautiful St James the Greater Church on London Road, Leicester, providing a fitting backdrop for this majestic piece. Known for its stunning acoustics, the church will resonate with the powerful sound of the Leicester Bach Choir, a carefully auditioned group of 55 voices who will be performing alongside four internationally acclaimed soloists.
The soloists, all renowned for their remarkable talents, include soprano Katie Trethewey, mezzo-soprano Cathy Bell, tenor Nathan Vale, and baritone Stephen Gadd. These celebrated vocalists will add their unique artistry to Handel’s Messiah, making it an unforgettable performance. Each of these singers brings extensive experience and acclaim to the stage. Katie Trethewey, known for her impressive discography and performances with celebrated vocal ensembles, will showcase her soprano talents, while Cathy Bell’s warm, velvety mezzo-soprano voice will undoubtedly shine. Tenor Nathan Vale and baritone Stephen Gadd round out the soloists, each praised for their exceptional voices and interpretations.
Accompanying the choir and soloists is a 31-piece London based orchestra, including a harpsichordist, which was formed in 2014. Together, the ensemble promises to deliver a performance that captures both the grandeur and intimacy of Handel’s composition.
Jennifer Clegg, Chair of the Leicester Bach Choir, shared her excitement about the upcoming performance: “We are thrilled to be performing Messiah once again, especially with such distinguished soloists and orchestra. Since many of our choir members are familiar with the piece, we’ve been able to focus on the dialogue between the choir, soloists, and orchestra, allowing us to delve deeper into Handel’s musical nuances. We look forward to sharing what promises to be a truly special concert with our audience.”
Adding to the concert experience are the innovative programme notes crafted by Richard Laing, designed to enrich the audience’s appreciation of each piece. Described as an “amuse bouche” for the performance, these notes offer engaging insights. For example, Laing highlights the Sinfonia as “a stately, serious opening, befitting the weighty subject matter” that evolves into “a lively minor-key discussion between the various instruments.” Similarly, he describes the bass aria *The People that Walked in Darkness* as “a bizarre and rather unsettling number,” with the string sections “feeling their way together through the shadows.”
Of course, the Hallelujah chorus remains one of the highlights of the evening. Handel himself is said to have exclaimed, “I saw all of heaven before me” as he composed this iconic piece, which is now recognised as one of the most thrilling choral works ever written.
The concert will be a showcase of talent, passion, and tradition, with the Leicester Bach Choir continuing its long-standing connection to Handel’s Messiah. As the concert approaches, tickets are selling fast, so don’t miss your opportunity to experience this extraordinary musical event in one of Leicester’s most beautiful settings.
Be sure to secure your seats soon!