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Performed by the Blenheim Singers and Players
The Long Library, Blenheim Palace, Sunday 7th December 2008
For the non-connoisseur (such as this reviewer), Messiah is a good place to dive into classical music. It is an energetic, rousing, at times catchy series of songs, celebrating the life of Christ. It has a pleasant, Christmassy feel to it, loaded with good cheer and perfect for enjoying as an escape from the cold outside.
The Blenheim singers have, since 2006, started a small tradition of performing Messiah each Christmas at Blenheim Palace. The Long Library provides a suitably resplendent environment for the performance, complete with open fires warming us from the Churchill’s family-emblazoned fireplaces. The singers themselves are a young group, mostly composed of students from the University of Oxford, and directed by 23-year-old Tom Hammond-Davies.
Messiah has songs for four soloists – female soprano, male countertenor, tenor and baritone – as well as a chorus. The more famous songs tend to be the chorus numbers, especially the “Hallelujah” chorus, which has become a common cultural soundbite. The chorus numbers were indeed the greatest highlights for me at Blenheim Palace, with the powerful blend of voices soaring up into the high ceiling, creating irresistible waves of sonic exhilaration. The quality of singing, supported by majestic acoustics, would probably have pleased Handel very well.
But the soloists were also excellent. I particularly enjoyed Adam Tunnicliffe, the tenor, with the gravid charisma he brought to his delivery. As Tunnicliffe sang he turned to face the various parts of the audience, as if he wanted to address us all with his songs. Another highlight was Jon Stainsby, baritone, singing “Why do the nations furiously rage together?”, rasping across the syllables of “furiously” with his own sort of furious bluster.
The Blenheim Messiah (as I shall now christen it) is a high-quality performance of a superb masterwork, accessible to everyone. The lush setting gives it an extra advantage over other comparable recitals, making this event worth looking out for next December and beyond.
John Mansfield, 09/12/08 |
