1742 Messiah Receives Standing Ovations

On 9 and 10 of June, the 1742 debut of Handel’s masterpiece was reconstructed at the Cathedral, in collaboration with Festival Baroque Australia. 

From the opening notes of the sublime Sinfony (Overture) to the majesty of the final Amen chorus audiences sat enthralled, before rewarding the musicians with standing ovations on both evenings.

Conductor Joseph Nolan, soloists (Sara Macliver, Fiona Campbell, Paul McMahon and Andrew Foote), Cathedral Consort and orchestra rendered the complete 1742 score, with no cuts or modifications. Concert-goers were therefore treated to all of Handel’s magnificent choruses (with the exception of Their sound is gone out which was not sung at the premiere) as well as the rarely-heard version of How Beautiful are the Feet for choir and two alto soloists (drawn from the Cathedral Consort’s ranks).   Other highlights included Ev’ry Valley shall be exalted with the extra bars of the 1742 version adding to its playful quality, the frolicsome 12/8 version of Rejoice Greatly, a truly mesmerizing performance of He was despised, and the stirring The Trumpet shall sound.