The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town and former choir members join together for two wonderful performances of Handel’s Messiah over the Easter weekend. Be moved and uplifted by the divine harmonies, resounding orchestrations, and joyous arias of Handel’s ever-popular and treasured oratorio.
Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.(Wikipedia)
An ensemble of celebrated South African soloists join The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town in their 50th anniversary year, the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and guest conductor Raymond Hughes, to infuse brilliant light and life into this magnificent gem. This will be the 30th anniversary of Mr Hughes first raising his baton of the Messiah with the choir. The entire work will be performed this year.
Raymond Hughes will be conducting both these performances of Handel’s Messiah. He was the musical director of the Choir from 1986 – 1991, and following that became the Chorus Master at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. He was also Chorus Master at The Norwegian National Opera in Oslo, and made his conducting debut at Carnegie Hall in May 2007. He is currently director of the Thomasville Singers and artistic director of the Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe. He is also the Chorus Master at the Deutsche Oper in Berlin, Germany, for the 2016-2017 season.
FEATURED:
The Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town and Friends
Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra
Soprano: Louise Howlett
Alto: Monika Voysey
Tenor: Given Nkosi
Bass: Barend van der Westhuizen
Tickets available on www.quicket.co.za.
