A performance of Handel's
Messiah brings people together all
over the world at Christmas time. Many places hold an annual performance but
there are only a few where the time span of this tradition stretches over a
period of more than 140 years. One of these is the city of Pietermaritzburg in
KwaZulu-Natal.
Mary Anne Hartley
from Maritzburg College, when reviewing a previous performance of Messiah by the same musicians wrote
"Messiah has always been about
shared communal experience and tradition. The conductor, soloists, choir and
orchestra have an understanding of what an involvement in music can do for
people. It enriches us and unites us for those few hours reminding us of our
humanity."
Handel wrote Messiah in 24 days in 1741. He rarely
left his room and hardly ate during this time. On the 24th day when his servant
delivered his meal, Handel turned to him, tears streaming down his face and
cried out: "I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great God
himself." He had just finished writing the triumphant music of the Hallelujah Chorus.
In 1756, the first
reference to the custom of standing for the Hallelujah
Chorus appeared in a letter and this tradition has been followed for the
250 years since then to this day.
The 2013
Pietermaritzburg Messiah performance will
feature the PAMS Choir accompanied by the PMB City Orchestra under the baton of
Robin Walton. Four professional musicians will sing the solo roles: Linelle
Wimbles (soprano); Aukse Trinkunas (contralto); Wayne Mkhize (tenor) and Langelihle
Mngxati (bass). The orchestra will be augmented by professional musicians: Christopher
Cockburn (organ); Nigel Fish (cello continuo) and Malcolm McKinley (trumpet).
For the last few
years the annual performances of Handel's Messiah
have been attended by capacity audiences. This year it will be the first time that
Messiah has been sung in the
beautiful Seth Mokitimi Chapel. Tickets R90 available on 033 347 5464 or at the
door. It would be wise to book early as whereas the Cathedral seated 400 people,
the Seth Mokitimi Chapel only has 350 seats (with cushions). Tea and scones
will be available at interval for R10.
The performance
will take place on November 17 at 14h30 in the Seth Mokitimi Chapel at the
Methodist Seminary next to Epworth School (115 Golf Road next to Epworth
School.)
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