Hallelujah! Handel’s back in town
On Thursday 13 April 1742, composer sensation George Frideric Handel premiered his Messiah at the Great Music Hall in Dublin's Fishamble Street - such an hot ticket that men were asked to leave their swords at home, and women were asked not to wear hoops in their dresses to ensure as many people as possible could fit into the Hall.
281 years later to the day, less than a mile away on Dawson Street, Handel will be back in town, leading the people of Dublin in song once again.
For the last six months, he has been touring the UK with Choir of the Earth on their popular Messiah Tour.
The international Choir is usually based exclusively online but has been welcoming singers from near and far to come and sing choruses from Messiah in person at locations around the UK and Ireland. On this ‘Messiahversary’, the venue will be St Ann’s Church in the heart of the city.
Choir of the Earth is a global choir that has welcomed around 10,000 singers through its virtual doors since it was formed in March 2020 at the height of the pandemic.
Then known as the Self-Isolation Choir, they hit international headlines when frustrated singers around the world signed up to learn and record Handel’s full ‘Messiah’ from home - a task that Musical Director Ben England BEM originally advised Founder Mark Strachan BEM was “mad”.
But record it they did, and have since gone on to hold more than 60 online choral courses, covering everything from Bach to The Beatles, as well as a range of lectures, workshops, interviews with key choral figures and more. However, Messiah continues to hold a special place in the Choir’s hearts, as it does for so many singers.
As society has settled back into ‘normality’ after the pandemic, many members have returned to their in-person singing groups. However, Choir of the Earth has continued to thrive, with over 650 regular members still rehearsing up to five times a week online. Just this month, they were shortlisted as one of 5 finalists in the Britain’s Top Choirs™ choral competition - the only online choir and only international choir to do so.
The Messiah Tour marks the Choir’s foray into in-person events, and the first time many members of this “choral family” have met in person. Its Members are keen to invite local singers to come and sing with them and experience the Choir of the Earth magic first-hand.
One Member explains her experience at her first Messiah Tour event:
We have so much fun at our online rehearsals and concerts, and it was amazing how well that translated to an in-person event. Even if you haven’t sung with Choir of the Earth before – or even heard of us – you will have a brilliant time! Ben, the team and the other singers are all so friendly and encouraging, you’ll become an instant Chorister of the Earth the second you walk through the door.
Singers will also be able to meet George Frideric himself, who has been enjoying bringing his music to the masses once again, and who looks very well given his advanced age of 328.
George Friderick Handel addressing Choir of the Earth's Messiah Tour audience in London on 22 October 2022. Photo Credit: Andrea Liu.
Founder, Mark Strachan BEM, is excited to reintroduce the people of Dublin to Mr Handel, saying:
Messiah remains the most popular choral work ever written and we are thrilled that Handel himself will be with us to see how we perform. Our Messiah Tour events are open to absolutely everybody, so do come and sing with us!
Musical Director Ben England BEM adds:
I am so looking forward to rehearsing some of these superb choruses with the singers in workshops throughout the day, and then we’ll perform them together in an early evening concert. It will be great fun and I hope Ireland will come along to sing this marvellous music with us.
The Choir is also delighted to welcome illustrious organist, David Leigh, as its accompanist for the day.
Meanwhile conductor Ben - a skilled bass-baritone in his own right - will also briefly step down from the conductor’s podium during the concert to perform one of Messiah’s exciting bass solos.
Other musical guests will also add a special touch to the concert, which is primarily for the singers to enjoy but will also be open to family and friends of those participating from 4pm, free of charge, on a first-come-first-served basis.
Full price tickets to take part in the day cost only £25.00 (~ €28.50) and student tickets cost only £5 (~€5.70). The Choir would prefer attendees to book in advance on its website, but tickets are also available at the door and card payment facilities will be available on the day.
To find out more and book your place, please visit: https://choiroftheearth.com/messiah-tour
Notes to editors:
Choir of the Earth’s Founder Mark Strachan BEM (or his alter ego, George Frideric Handel) and/or its charismatic Musical Director Ben England BEM would welcome the opportunity to discuss the event in advance or on the day. Please email Head of Communications, Nikki Chilton, to arrange.
Choir of the Earth began life as The Self-Isolation Choir, which was founded in March 2020 as a response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Its rebranding from as Choir of the Earth in 2021 reflects how the choir has grown and matured from a pandemic phenomenon to an established choir, leading the way with digital singing innovation and climate-friendly music-making.
The come and sing Messiah Tour is the Choir’s first venture into live events, with successful events having already taken place in London, Bath, Cardiff, the Isle of Wight, Newcastle upon Tyne, Edinburgh and Norwich, and the last two events planned in Dublin on 13 April and Belfast on 15 April.
Further information about the Choir’s current, future and previous projects is available at choiroftheearth.com, or follow us on social media: