New Zealand Symphony Orchestra – Messiah

Stephen Mould conductor

Madeleine Pierard soprano

Jacqueline Dark mezzo-soprano

Paul McMahon tenor

James Clayton bass

Orpheus Choir of Wellington

 

Michael Fowler Centre

Saturday 13th December 2014

This was my first time hearing Handel’s Messiah live and an almost sold out Michael Fowler Centre was a good indication that it was about time for me to finally experienced the piece in its entirety. It was exciting to see the auditorium slowly fill up, with a wider variety of audience members than normal. The Orpheus Choir of Wellington (all 140+ of them) slowly filed in and took their seats behind the orchestra. The performance started about 10 minutes late and the audience eagerly anticipated the arrival of the conductor and soloists

The mix of a small orchestra and a large choir worked well for the grandness of the music. I enjoyed the joyful and triumphant nature of the music and the contrast between the purity and precision of the soloists and the power of the Orpheus Choir. Predictably the well-known Hallelujah Chorus got the audience on their feet and applauding as it finished.

I did not have a programme so was unable to understand, at times, what exactly was being sung. Luckily my neighbour had a copy of the music and I was able to glance over her shoulder now and then  to get the title of the next movement. I have in the past found myself too caught up trying to follow the words in the programme and, in doing so, missing some of the performance. This was not the case on Saturday night and, as the flyer stated, this concert was a “not-to-be-missed classical extravaganza”.

Handel’s Messiah is a great way to celebrate the festive season in the lead up to Christmas and a great way for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to finish its 2014 season.