Handel's Messiah is normally a Christmas staple - but Armidale chamber choir Fiori Musicali will stage the mighty oratorio on Sunday, April 7.
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"It's more authentic to do it at Easter," conductor Bruce Menzies explained.
Authenticity is Dr Menzies' aim; he's trying to approximate the original performance, which Handel himself conducted at a Dublin charity concert on April 13 1742, in Easter week.
The three-part oratorio tells of the Annunciation of Christ's birth; the Passion; and the Resurrection.
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"Words are wanting to express the exquisite Delight it afforded to the admiring crouded Audience," raved Faulkners Dublin Journal. "The Sublime, the Grand, and the Tender, adapted to the most elevated, majestick, and moving words, conspired to transport and charm the ravished Heart and Ear."
The Messiah was originally performed with a choir of about 20 people (Dean Jonathan Swift objected to cathedral choristers performing in "a club of Fidlers in Fishamble Street"); soloists from within the choir's ranks; and a small orchestra of strings, drums, and trumpets - a far cry from the massive forces 19th and 20th century arrangements demanded.
"We're not going to do the Huddersfield Choral Society with huge orchestras and huge choirs," Dr Menzies said. "Far from that, we're going to do a small, almost chamber version that more mimics the original."
Vitality and clarity, those hallmarks of Baroque music, are Dr Menzies' watchwords. He wants an energetic performance, and the audience to hear every note in the piece.
"I would like to think it will make them listen to the Messiah anew, and remember its beauties."
Part II will be cut in this performance. "The Messiah is very long," Dr Menzies explained; "we wanted to make it appealing for audiences, and be a relatively short and snappy performance. The whole work is wonderful, but we're making it a more digestible musical experience."
The performance will last about an hour and 20 minutes, and includes all the well-known numbers, like the Hallelujah and Amen choruses, and 'Ev'ry valley shall be exalted'.
Countertenor Robert Adams will sing the alto part, joined by tenor Elias Wilson, soprani Gemma Nha, Leanne Rooball and Kate Fittler, and baritone Jeremy Boulton. Many of the soloists are from the Sydney Conservatorium.
The Fiori Musicali choir of 24 singers has rehearsed for five weeks, while the string orchestra is made up of local professionals.
The musicians will perform in Coffs Harbour and Bellingen on Saturday, before returning to Armidale on Sunday.
This is the first time Dr Menzies has conducted the Messiah.
"It's been a great experience preparing this piece, which I love," he said; "I think those who can come to this concert will really enjoy it."
Handel's Messiah will be performed at TAS Hoskins Centre on Sunday, April 7, at 7pm. Book online through trybooking.