Merry Opera Company touring with Handel’s Messiah

Friday October 25th 2024

A staged production of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ featuring professional Northern Irish musicians is touring Northern Ireland, with performances in a number of Connor churches in November.

These include St John’s, Malone (November 8); St Patrick’s, Whitehead (November 9); St Patrick’s, Coleraine (November 16); and Lisburn Cathedral (November 23).

In this unusual production of Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ the church as a setting is key. The 12 professional singers play characters from everyday life who find themselves in this sacred place. They do not know each other and they have their own reasons for being there but each is in search of something – consolation, affirmation, forgiveness, direction. Some of them carry the concept of a Messiah in their hearts; some lack that and may feel an absence; some are not religious at all.

As they sing through this traditional work, they engage with each other and themselves, ultimately experiencing the transformation from need and despair to understanding and hope.

This production was created in the UK in 2011 by the Merry Opera Company. It has been brought back by request almost every year since. Audiences report that it gives Handel’s ‘Messiah’ ‘new meaning’, ‘new invigoration.’ For this year’s tour, half the professional cast and the organist are Northern Irish musicians. The Merry Opera Company is grateful to Ulster Touring Opera and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for financial support.

Tickets are available through www.merryopera.com or by phone 03336 664466. A proportion of the proceeds will go to the host church.