A partnership of local musicians and ensembles will present one of the world’s most iconic and well-known choral works as part of the Christmas season.
The Windfire Choir and Geelong Chorale will come together to perform George Frideric Handel’s Messiah at the Basilica of St Mary of the Angels on Sunday 7 December.
Supported by an orchestra of local musicians and directed by Joseph Hie, the joint choir will feature four world-class soloists.
Local singers Lee Abrahmsen (soprano) and Manfred Pohlenz (bass) will be joined by Austin Haynes (counter tenor) and Robert Macfarlane (tenor).
The work, most famous to the general public for the Hallelujah Chorus, is regularly performed at large Christmas events.
Music at the Basilica artistic director and the driver behind the concert Frank De Rosso said Messiah was particularly “uplifting and inspiring” at Christmas time.
“It’s basically the whole Christian story…the birth, death and resurrection of Christ in a musical work,” he said.
“One of the main aspects of choosing to do this work was bringing the community together.
“We have a great array of talent in Geelong, which sometimes people underestimate or forget…so we’re getting together to show people in Geelong that we can match it with the best.”
Music at the Basilica secretary Jane Bashiruddin said Messiah was the biggest project the organisation had ever undertaken.
“I think everyone who is able to come should, because this doesn’t happen very often,” she said.
“Almost all the musical community of Geelong are together to perform a work like this. It’s very uplifting, dramatic, and it’s got every emotion possible expressed in the music.”
Visit trybooking.com/DCLAM for tickets.
