A world famous orchestra will perform Handel’s hugely popular Messiah on the opening night of a vibrant vocal music festival.
The renowned Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment will open this year’s Durham Vocal Festival, performing with Durham Choral Society, in Durham Cathedral on Saturday, 26 January at 7.30pm.
Composed in 1741, Handel’s most popular and well-known piece will include the rousing Hallelujah chorus and a series of impressive solo arias by soprano Rowan Pierce, alto Helen Charlston, tenor Nicholas Pritchard and bass Dingle Yandell.
The performance, conducted by Steven Devine, is just one of the many highlights of the broad-ranging festival, which features professional musicians, local school children, specially composed works, world premieres, community choirs and much more.
Other highlights include Life of St Cuthbert, a unique pilgrimage piece by Solfa Carlile, starting in Northumberland and culminating in a World Premiere at Durham Cathedral on Friday, 8 February, performances by festival-favourites Northern Lights and Northern Spirit Singers, and a new addition to this year’s programme – the Office Choir of the Year competition.
Fans of professional group VOCES8 will also be delighted to hear that they will perform alongside hundreds of local singers in a specially composed piece, Dunelm Lux Aeterna, written by Paul Smith working with five local schools.
Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “I can’t wait for the opening of this year’s festival. The performance of this seminal work with such world-class performers will be an event not to be missed.
“We’re thrilled to be involved with so many fantastic singers and musicians and are particularly delighted to be hosting the world famous Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for the opening night.
“Durham Vocal Festival is now in its third year and has grown to become an important event in Durham’s cultural calendar, with this year promising to be the best yet. The city is developing a real reputation as a key destination for music-makers and music-lovers alike and we’re proud that our vocal festival is playing a key part in that.”
Cherry Forbes, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment education director, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Durham for the 2019 Vocal Festival and to be performing Handel’s masterpiece ‘Messiah’ in the Cathedral with the Durham Choral Society is a treat indeed. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment will be joined by some of our Rising Stars and we look forward to what we know will be a magical evening!”
Tickets for all Durham Vocal Festival events are available via the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600 or via the festival website www.durhamvocalfestival.co.uk
