Handel composed Messiah in just three weeks during the summer of 1741. Such speed was not unusual; it was Handel’s normal habit to write a couple of new operas or oratorios in as many months during the summer in readiness for his next theatre season.

 

The score of Messiah went with him when Handel set off for Dublin later in 1741 to give a series of performances there. As a result, the first performance took place, not in London but in Dublin, on 13 April 1742.

 

The text of Messiah was provided by Charles Jennens, a clergyman with literary interests and a wealthy family background. He described Messiah as a ‘scripture collection’ as he compiled the text of the oratorio by adapting passages from the Bible. The popularity of Messiah was far from immediate. Public acceptance only really began in 1750 following a highly successful charity performance at the Foundling Hospital in London, which went on to become an annual event.

 

As arguably the best-known work in the choral repertoire, Messiah is an obvious choice to open our 50th Anniversary Season, as it was when Ted Smith formed Danesborough Chorus in the autumn of 1975. 

 

For its inaugural concert in January 1976, the choir gave a performance of Messiah in Woburn Parish Church with Bedford Sinfonia and four nationally-known soloists. The concert was a sell-out, with an audience of over 500 and every possible seat taken.

 

In keeping with that tradition, for this concert we have engaged an  internationally renowned quartet of soloists and the very fine Alina Orchestra.

 

Join us for what promises to be both an exciting and moving performance and one that you will certainly not wish to miss!