http://www.fiori-musicali.com/

Fiori put on a stunning performance of Messiah at the Guildhall, Northampton. For details of the forthcoming performance this Christmas, see www.fiori-musicali.com/mr-handels-messiah.

Always the highlight of Fiori’s winter season, Mr Handel’s popular Messiah – staged once again in Northampton’s stunning Guildhall – drew a capacity crowd. Hearing the work Fiori-style ["crisp, punchy orchestra and chorus and good soloists"- as BBC Music Magazine once described Fiori], with the modest forces Handel originally had in mind, has become a pre-Christmas tradition with Northamptonshire audiences. And they didnt just come from around Northampton. Despite the wicked cold, people came from as far afield as Ilford in Essex, Quarndon near Derby, and even Bath. Such is the power of the internet to reach our audiences!

Amongst the gems were Adrian Woodward’s impeccably brilliant natural trumpet-playing in the The trumpet shall sound, and Tim Travers-Brown’s subtle and inspired He was despised – a tour de force for countertenor. But the ultimate accolade must go to the choir – only 22 voices – but specially trained by Penelope to get the best baroque sound for Handel’s monumental work. They filled the place with their incisive, clear and stylish singing. Didn’t the final Amen just seem to lift the roof of the magnificent hall as the two trumpeters soared over the top and the timpanist rolled his drumrolls for good and all?

Roll on next Christmas…!

Tags (topics): Adrian Woodward, Guildhall, Handel, Messiah, Northampton, Penelope Rapson, Timothy Travers-Brown