Handel: Messiah

Our Autumn concert on November 11th, 7.30pm, features the incomparable oratorio, Messiah, by G. F. Handel. Including the famous 'Hallelujah Chorus' and arias such as 'I know that my Redeemer liveth', Messiah remains one of the most performed and well-loved choral choral works in Britain and internationally.

Handel wrote the work in 1741 completing it in just 24 days. Originally scored for an orchestra of nine musicians, its popularity increased over the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. As a result, performances became ever grander and grew to huge scales so, for example, at the Handel Festival held in 1922 in Handel's native town, Halle, his choral works were given by a choir of 163 and an orchestra of 64 musicians. 

Featuring professional soloists and orchestra, our concert will be of more modest proportions, more akin to Handel's original concept. To be held at St Joseph's College, Upper Redlands Road, this concert could be the musical event of the year in Reading.

Tickets are £15 (£5 for under 17s), with a discount of £1 on the full price on advance sales. Advance tickets can be purchased from rdghaydnchoir+tickets@gmail.com or from Choir members. Or you can buy them at the door on the night.

In addition, we are inviting singers who would like to, to sing with us for a selection of the choruses. The cost of singing with us will be £5 on top of the ticket price.  For these singers, there will be a rehearsal with the Choir on the Saturday afternoon of the concert, November 11th, at St. Joseph’s College.  Please register your interest via our 'contact us' page or send an email to rdghaydnchoir@gmail.com.

We'll be looking forward to entertaining you as part of our audience or to performing together, if you have chosen to sing with us.