1784 was the 25th anniversary of Handel’s death and the country marked the occasion with a series of large-scale ‘Commemoration’ concerts of Messiah. Birmingham was no different, and, perhaps thanks to the success of its Messiah, 1784 marked the beginning of the Birmingham Triennial Musical Festival - the longest-running classical music festival of its kind, notable for commissioning and premiering Mendelssohn Elijah and Elgar The Dream of Gerontius.
Ex Cathedra will recreate the 1784 Birmingham ‘Commemoration of Handel’ Messiah by assembling a staggering one hundred professional or professionally-trained singers, whilst OAE have engaged 60 players, including four horns, three trombones and double timpani!
The 1784 performance has been especially researched and, using descriptions in contemporary accounts, the horn and trombone parts have been recreated for this concert.
The soloists for the concert are Carolyn Sampson, Iestyn Davies, James Gilchrist and Peter Harvey. The concert will be conducted by Ex Cathedra’s Artistic Director, Jeffrey Skidmore.
Tickets, priced £7-£35 (concessions available), can be purchased by calling the THSH Ticket Office on 0121 780 3333 or by visiting www.thsh.co.uk. The concert is proving extremely popular; you are advised to book at your earliest opportunity.