Archived performance
Performance details
7 December 2019 at 7pm
8 December 2019 at 5pm
Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall
About this performance
Program
Handel/Davis Messiah
Featuring
Sir Andrew Davis conductor
Siobhan Stagg soprano
Catherine Wyn-Rogers mezzo-soprano
Topi Lehtipuu tenor
James Clayton bass
MSO Chorus
The concert
In 2019 we present a new orchestration of the beloved work, this time by Sir Andrew Davis. Nominated at the 2018 Grammy Awards®, Sir Andrew’s take on this Christmas tradition stems from a lifetime of hard work and dedication.
“When I was a child I was a boy soprano in our local church choir and so I got to know Handel’s Messiah firsthand. As an adult I toyed with the idea of a reorchestration for many years and I started my version in December 2009. I finished it in October 2010 and premiered it later that year in Toronto.
“My sole aim was to clothe the work with all the colours available from a modern orchestra; as a result I have used such instruments as alto flute, oboe d’amore, harp and some percussion including marimba and even sleigh bells!
“I’m very proud of it, and I’m extremely happy that it will be the last thing we do together in my official role as Chief Conductor of the MSO. Not that this is the last time you’ll see me here!” – Sir Andrew Davis
