Shrewsbury Choral Society

A moving performance of this choral masterpiece. (Review of Handel’s Messiah)

Handel’s Messiah at Theatre Severn, 25.04.09

Shrewsbury Choral Society, with accompanying orchestra, were joined by a quartet of fine soloists for a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at the new Theatre Severn. Martin Schellenberg, Musical Director of the choral society, conducted and Tim Mills played the organ with his characetristic flair.

The opening chorus “And the Glory of the Lord”, revealed the enthuasim and commitment of the choir who were on great form. The orchestra was slightly more tentative at the beginning but they grew in confidence, especially the cellists who produced a glorious tone. The players were sensitive to to the soloists but their task was not helped by the acoustic of the theatre which caused much of the music to vanish upwards!

Before the first chorus we heard tenor John Bowen in the recitative “Comfort ye my people” and the Air “Every valley shall be exalted”; his is a beautiful voice with exemplary diction and a firm, warm tone perfect for Handel’s music. Throughout the work, Mr Schellenberg adopted tempi which guaranteed that the music’s momentum never flagged, communicating his intentions clearly to his forces. His direct approach gave chrous and soloists every opportunity to sing confiently. Soprano Cathy Benson has a delicate shimmering voice which was ideal for “I know that my Redeemer liveth” while bass Stephen Garner has a marvellous rich sound, especially in his lower register. Harriet Goodwin has a rich, velvety voice, heard to great effect on “He was despised”. This air was sung with total technical control and a passion which was heart rending. A beautiful moment in a moving performance of this choral masterpicece. (Andrew Petch)