'Messiah' by GF Handel sung by Richmondshire Choral Society with Hannah Grove (soprano), Michael Ash (counter tenor), Toby Ward (tenor), D’Arcy Bleiker (bass) and Andrew Christer (continuo) plus orchestra. Conducted by Edward Seymour.
The choir has a policy of singing 'Messiah' with at least a four-year interval between performances and at its spring concert when it fits better with the church festivals of Easter, Ascension day, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. Consequently this will be the third performance with a different conductor; the previous two have both been outstanding (standing ovations from the audience and brilliant press reviews).
This year's soloists have been selected by Edward Seymour, no mean singer himself, because he knows them and in some cases has sung with them. Andrew Christer is well known across the north of England for his skill as both a pianist and an organist accompanying singers and choirs, and the orchestra consists of professional musicians from across the north.
To be held once again in the glorious acoustic of St Mary's, Richmond, this promises to be another stunning performance of what is deservedly the best-known and best-loved oratorio in the repertoire.
