Handel: Messiah

The Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford and The Academy of Ancient Music perform Handel's Messiah

Oil painting with cherub angels flying in the sky and Mary holding the baby Jesus with font saying 'Handel Messiah' over it

Handel's Messiah lies at the very heart of Christmas musical festivities. The oratorio follows Christ's life from the prophecies of the Old Testament through to his birth, passion and resurrection, and the final conquest of sin with the promise of eternal life. Handel uses his consummate skill as an opera composer to inject vivid colour and intense drama into his score. First heard in 1741, it remains just as popular today as it did in Dublin nearly 300 years ago. Arias of mesmerising beauty and triumphant courage sit alongside virtuoso choruses of stunning power - including the famous 'Hallelujah Chorus'. 

This concert continues the acclaimed collaboration between the Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford and the world famous Academy of Ancient Music, a combination of the finest choral singing and an orchestra with a worldwide reputation for excellence in baroque and classical music. 

Choir and orchestra are conducted by Owen Rees, Director of Music at The Queen's College, hailed as 'one of the most energetic and persuasive voices’ in this field. 

Rowan Pierce soprano 
Esther Lay mezzo-soprano 
Ted Black tenor 
James Atkinson baritone

Choir of The Queen's College, Oxford 
Academy of Ancient Music 
Owen Rees director

 


 

Ticket Information

  • General Admission: £15-45
  • Students: £5
  • Date: Friday 4th December
  • Time: 7pm
  • Suitable for ages 10+
  • Running time of 3 hours minutes with interval
  • Latecomers permitted in first half hour
  • For ticketing queries, email choir@queens.ox.ac.uk 

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