QPAC hosted an All-Australian version of Handel’s Messiah in early December.
The Messiah is a stirring, wonderful piece of music; technically an oratoria in which the orchestra supports a choir, soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor and baritone. The music steadily works through the Christian church year, from Advent through to Pentecost, then on to Eternity.
Messiah is full of well-known bits and pieces, with probably the most famous of all being the rousing Hallelujah chorus, sung by the massed choir. There are others that are among my favourites: Comfort ye my People; Ev’ry Valley both sung by the tenor; And the Glory of the Lord, by the choir; and the Trumpet shall sound, by the baritone, accompanied, obviously, by a vibrant trumpet.
The principal performers for the QPAC event mostly work out of Sydney. The conductor and harpsichordist was Erin Helyard. The soprano was Miriam Allan, who has the most mellifluous voice and engaged demeanor. The mezza sprano was Helen Sherman, the tenor Paul McMahon and the baritone was Andrew Collis. The local Canticum Chamber Choir was under the musical direction of Emily Cox. Special mention should be made too of Sarah Butler for rousing trumpet solos.
Yet despite the wonderful music, a more than competent orchestra, and enthusiastic conductor, other than Ms Allan, the principal singers lacked passion, seemingly attending another day at the office. The baritone lacked power, most notably overwhelmed by Ms Butler’s trumpet in the Trumpet Shall Sound. It called for an aggressive, confident singer.
The choir delivered, though there was an odd presentation. One of their members must have some seating difficulty and sits on a stool while everyone else sits in a chair. This created the distracting image when the choir was not singing of a man head and shoulders above the rest staring expressionless into the auditorium.
In the end, the performance was enjoyable, though it felt strangely workmanlike rather than spirited, with the exceptions already noted.
George Frederic Handel, a 55 year-old German in living in England, composed Messiah in less than a month during the summer of 1741, as a commission from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, the Duke of Devonshire. It was performed first in Dublin on 13th April 1742, as a highlight of Easter.
Since then it has become a Christmas staple, although in some places its gets more air time at Easter.
Handel of course penned the musical score. The libretto was put together by Charles Jennens with words selected from the Bible.
Leave a Reply