ONE of the best-loved of all choral works, Messiah, will be performed by St Albans Choral Society in the Abbey next Saturday, April 21.
The work by Handel, first performed in Dublin in 1742, is the greatest of his many English oratorios setting Biblical scriptures to music.
With words compiled by Charles Jennens, it includes the soprano aria How Beautiful Are the Feet, the Hallelujah chorus and the bass solo, The Trumpet Shall Sound.
Written for modest vocal and instrumental forces, Messiah was adapted for vast choirs and orchestras in the 19th Century but contemporary performances are generally more faithful to the German composer’s original intentions.
The soloists in the Abbey performance will be Pippa Goss (above) soprano, William Purefoy, countertenor, Mark Dobell, tenor, and Michael Bundy, baritone. George Vass, the Society’s music director, will conduct the work, played by Orchestra Nova.
The concert begins at 7.30pm and tickets are available from SACS ticket line on 07884 231958, online at allaboutstalbans.com, or from the Information Desk in the Abbey’s Chapter House on 01727 860780.
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