Review: Reigate & Redhill Choral Society (RRCS) presents Handel's Messiah

Reigate & Redhill Choral Society (RRCS)

Handel's Messiah

Holy Trinity Church, Redhill

Reviewed by Simon Ames

An oratorio in which is found music of both the simplest and yet the most complex nature, it is still amazing to contemplate that George Frideric Handel composed this inspirational masterpiece in the space of 24 days in August and September of 1741.

Reigate & Redhill Choral Society (RRCS) chose Messiah to mark the 250th anniversary of Handel's death in 1759 and they succeeded in filling Redhill's beautiful and well-suited Holy Trinity church to maximum capacity for the occasion.

This well-organised society had clearly rehearsed well. Their choral entries were consistently on cue from beginning to end, Peter Farrant's timing and fine direction ensuring the spiritual expressiveness of the work.

From the outset, Gavin Sayers delivered the tenor recitatives and arias with meaning and clarity. His interpretation of the opening Comfort Ye My People set the bar high for all that was to follow. Contralto Charlotte Collier showed rich, velvet qualities of voice in her delivery of O Thou that Tellest Good Tidings to Zion and later her sympathetic interpretation of He shall Feed His Flock and He was Despised and Rejected of Men.

Helen Withers was equally outstanding with the soprano Rejoice Greatly O Daughter of Zion and the emphatic I Know that My Redeemer Liveth. Leandros Taliotis was impressive in the bass role, his delivery of The Trumpet shall Sound and the Dead shall be Raised was powerful and convincing.

Surrey Pro-Musica led by Mihkel Kerem supported the soloists and choir with a high quality baroque sound, Ray Maulkin on harpsichord prominent in providing continuo to a high standard.

The concert was a triumph for Peter Farrant and the choir. Peter's attention to detail is a hallmark of RRCS performances, his comprehension of Handel's music and his interpretation of the score ranks him as a choral conductor of increasing standing.