Handel’s Messiah 2019
World-record performance at Melbourne Town Hall
The 36th Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Concert
“The Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra delivered another vibrant and polished reading. Music director Andrew Wailes conducted with precision and infectious energy urging the chamber-sized orchestra and 100-strong choir to some stirring renditions of the big choir pieces including the famous Hallelujah, Glory to God and For unto us a Child is born. Wailes favouring brisk tempos made for exciting listening…”
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir & Orchestra present Handel’s iconic Messiah for the world record 240th time since 1853. The world’s most-loved oratorio, famous for its sparkling arias, powerful choruses and surging climaxes including the magnificent Hallelujah! Chorus and the equally thrilling Amen! Chorus which concludes the work.
Featuring over 100 talented musicians from the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra, the grand Town Hall organ, and a magnificent international cast of outstanding soloists, this concert promises to thrill as ever under the direction of Andrew Wailes – widely regarded as one of Australia’s foremost exponents of this great work.
The brilliant and internationally-acclaimed New Zealand soprano Anna Leese will make her debut as a soloist with the RMP at this concert. Much-loved Opera Australia mezzo soprano Dominica Matthews returns, and will be joined at this concert by the Grammy Award-winning baroque specialist, the English tenor Richard Butler, and former resident principal with Hannover Staatsoper, Australian born baritone Christopher Tonkin.
The RMP’s annual performance of this masterpiece is a much anticipated highlight of Melbourne’s concert calendar. Don’t miss being part of this wonderful musical tradition.
“Wailes made sure that the pace did not slacken… Wailes, who cuts a dapper, self-possesed figure on the podium, showed an impressive compulsion, driving his forces along with insistent power. It is hard to recall when this oratorio has been treated with such attention given to its dramatic potential; no singer – soloist or chorister – was given latitude to generate that fruity and orotund timbre familiar from performances of 20 years ago.” Clive O’Connell (The Age)
Dominica Matthews, mezzo soprano
Christopher Tonkin, baritone
Stefan Cassomenos, harpsichord
Andrew Bainbridge, chamber and grand organ
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir
Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra
ONLINE BOOKINGS: www.rmp.org.au
Note: ALL A and B Reserve and Balcony seats can be chosen and reserved online via the RMP website and Trybooking.
Tickets can also be purchased via Ticketmaster.
Sponsored by the City of Melbourne
