The first Messiah of the year is always a great moment and I had to wait until December 6 this year to get my fix. It’s one of those works that I look forward to singing, whether as a soloist or as a member of the ensemble.
This performance was in Worcester cathedral (seen right, with me and Janet Coxwell, soprano) conducted by the cathedral’s Organist & Director of Music, Dr Peter Nardone. The other two soloists were Nathan Vale (tenor) and Stuart Young (bass).
It’s always a pleasure to come onstage and find a full auditorium. It was especially lovely at this concert to see the illuminated cathedral nave stretch off into the distance and almost fade into the darkness. It’s fairly remarkable that there’s so much of it left given how fought over Worcester was during the Civil War and the remains of a Christ in Glory on the wall of the College Hall testify to how much damage was done. Last time I sang at the cathedral the Chapter House was being restored, so I was very pleased that it was back in business offering a warming cup of tea in the interval so that I could take a look at it.
Nice, too, to mingle with members of the audience and hear what the Messiah means to them. Christmas wouldn’t really be Christmas without it, one man said to me. I agree.