TO celebrate the Easter season in a spectacular way, a performance of Handel’s Messiah will be delivered by the Kerry Chamber Choir, orchestra and soloists in St Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney on Saturday, April 18.
Under the baton of the hugely accomplished Aidan O’Carroll, Messiah for All is the theme of the eagerly-awaited performance and singers who have previously featured in the great work, or sections of it, are invited to bring their scores and join in for the Halleluja Chorus at the end of the 90-minute performance.
The Messiah’s fame and popularity arise from the dramatic and often exhilarating music of movements such as For unto us a child is born, Glory to God, He shall feed his flock and, of course, the Halleluja Chorus. It appeals to all music lovers and not just classical buffs.
Handel was invited to Dublin, the empire’s second city at that time, by the Lord Lieutenant to give a series of concerts. While there he set about writing the Messiah in the form of a sacred oratorio – an un-staged opera. This was a very popular form of musical entertainment at the time. Legend has it that the work was written, in a fever of invention, in 19 days. Its premiere was, by coincidence, in April 1742 in Neil’s Music Hall, Fishamble Lane, Dublin, close to Christ Church.
Due to public demand a large number of extra performances had to be arranged. Gentlemen were requested in the broadsheets of the time to “leave off their swords” and ladies their hoops so that the maximum number of places might be created for the eager public.
The Killarney concert will begin at 8.00pm on and admission is €10. Children will be admitted free of charge.
