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A Bristol Choral Christmas

Published: 22nd November 2011 21:35

Bristol Choral Society has performed Messiah at the Colston Hall on the Saturday before Christmas since 1892 (well, except those years when the Hall had burnt to the ground....twice), but 2011 will be very different:

On Saturday 17 December 2011, the choir will perform Bach's Christmas Oratorio instead, with in-demand tenor Mark Padmore.

This is a true festive musical treat, and something of a coup to be performing with a truly internationally renowned soloist singing the role of the Evangelist (indeed, The Independent even go so far as to call him 'the international Evangelist of choice'), but, with people being creatures of habit and us having performed Messiah for the last 120 years, there will be those who are disappointed that they cannot hear a Bristol Choral Society Messiah this year.

Messiah fans need not worry, however, as there are two opportunities to experience a Bristol Choral Society Messiah this year at the Colston Hall on Saturday 26 November, as part of 'A Bristol Choral Christmas':

 

 

At 2pm, you can come & sing Handel's Messiah at the Colston Hall - if you have ever wondered what it might be like to sing Messiah with Bristol Choral Society and Adrain Partington, then this is your chance! All are welcome - members of the choir will be spread throughout the singers to give a strong lead and encouragement to those who might be not so experienced at singing Messiah.

After you have exercised your lungs, you can stay and hear Bristol Choral Society's only performance of Messiah this year, with our Mini Messiah family concert - a shortened version of the work with orchestra and soloists aimed particularly at introducing children to this great work in a family-friendly bite sized chunk lasting under an hour.

This will be the second year that the choir has staged this family concert - it proved very popular last year (you can read all about it here: http://bristolchoral.wordpress.com/2011/10/30/introducing-children-to-classical-concerts-less-doesnt-have-to-mean-lesser/) and was such a wonderful feel-good experience for children and parents alike that it just had to return this year, even though no complete Messiah performance was planned.
An unmissable musical treat for all the family, and accompanied children get in FREE!

Then of course, on the Saturday before Christmas there is a festive treat with Bach's masterpiece, his Christmas Oratorio - a sacred seasonal stocking stuffed with spine-tingling choruses, heartfelt arias and bewitching story-telling - topped and tailed by some of the most jubilant music Bach was to pen.
As well as Mark Padmore ‘the international Evangelist of choice' (The Independent), the choir will be joined by some fabulous soloists: soprano Helen-Jane Howells (‘Magnificent'), countertenor Sebastian Field (‘Ravishing' The Independent) and bass Ashley Riches (‘Commanding') under conductor Adrian Partington and Baroque ensemble The Corelli Orchestra.

So there it is - A Bristol Choral Christmas. A very different musical Christmas for Bristol, but with truly something for everyone - we hope you like it. Merry Christmas from Bristol Choral Society!

The Come & Sing Messiah is on Saturday 26 November 2011 at 2pm (until 4pm).
Tickets cost £7 for adults (or £9 including score hire) - and includes free adult admission to 4:30pm Mini Messiah performance. Accompanied children under 18 FREE.
Book via the Colston Hall ot online here: http://www.colstonhall.org/whatson/Event2589

The Mini Messiah family concert is on Saturday 26 November 2011 at 4:30pm
Tickets cost £5 for adults and accompanied children under 18 FREE.
Book via the Colston Hall ot online here: http://www.colstonhall.org/whatson/Event2590

Bach's Christmas Oratorio is on Saturday 17 December 2011 at 7pm
Tickets cost £23, £19, £15, £12 & £10 (Under 25s £5, concessions available)
Book via the Colston Hall ot online here: http://www.colstonhall.org/whatson/Event2591

Tickets for all concerts can also be booked in person at the Colston Hall box office, by phone (0117 922 3686), or at the door.

For more information about Bristol Choral Society, see here: www.bristolchoral.co.uk

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