(Nigel
Fish conducts “Messiah”. Pic by Nash Narrandes)
Singers agreed that it was “one of the best
performances” in the capital’s history. (Review by Christi Naudé)
Not even the sweltering heat could dampen
the audience’s rousing appreciation for the 154th performance of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday (November 24, 2018).
When the last notes of the three-hour concert faded away, a packed audience in
Epworth School Chapel rose to their feet to give the conductor, choir, soloists
and orchestra a standing ovation.
Choristers from the Pietermaritzburg
Amateur Music Society (PAMS), augmented by members of the Eyesizwe Adult Choir,
the Howick Choristers and singers of the Midlands Community agreed that it was
“one of the best performances” in the capital’s history.
Given the large number of regular Messiah choristers (some sang their
first Messiah in 1949!) it is
certainly a feather in the cap of PAMS musical director Nigel Fish, who still
finds something new and refreshing in the 276-year-old oratorio. “Once again,
the incredible journey described in Handel’s marvellous music proved to be
immensely moving and inexhaustibly powerful. What a privilege to be involved,”
he said.
(Soprano
Thembi Sithole. Pic by Jessica Lindiwe Draper)
To 39-year old soprano Thembi Sithole, who
works as a Human Resources Officer at the Department of Social Development in
Pietermaritzburg, making her debut in this immortal piece of music was “a dream
coming true. I had always watched people singing it, longing to sing the
soprano part. When I got the chance, I grabbed it with both hands!”
Sithole, who impressed the audience with
her beautiful, soul-stirring and accurate interpretation of the music, said she
did not want the audience to know that it was her first time singing the
oratorio. “I worked very hard to be precise,” she said adding that she works
with a pianist and stores as much as she can in her memory to practise on her
own since she cannot read music. The mother of two also sings in the African
Chorus Choir in Umlazi and the Playhouse Chorale.
She is full of praise for Fish, who will
soon be leaving PAMS to focus on his instrumental and teaching work. “Nigel is
the most good-hearted, humblest conductor I have ever worked with. He puts his
heart into everything he does. I feel so honoured and privileged to have worked
with him.”
(PAMS
Conductor Nigel Fish with soloists tenor Sibonelo Mbanjwa, alto Margi Nel and
bass Simon Bester)
PAMS Chair Jonathan Drapers said, “Music
stirs the human spirit in a way nothing else can, and Handel’s masterpiece
never fails to do so for me. This time, the swirl of emotions from the joy of
the gift of peace through the baby Jesus, to the deep sorrow of the human
Jesus, and finally to the intoxicating triumph of the exalted Jesus caught me
by surprise. Nigel Fish’s close attention to the musical dynamics brought
something new out of something old!”
Those who missed this great performance can
press the “catch up” button on the DVD which is available through PAMS Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/PAMSchoir.
Music lovers, seasoned singers and
newcomers, are warmly invited to join PAMS when they start practices again in
the New Year. - Christi Naudé
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