In Manchester, when, precisely, does Christmas begin?
Is it Christmas when the city’s illuminations are switched on? Maybe the festive season begins with the appearance of the Christmas markets? Or perhaps it’s when the first work Christmas parties are sighted, stumbling along Deansgate, filled to the brim with Christmas cheer and alcohol, belting out the only verse of Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody that anyone knows.
For me, and for many a music lover in Cottonopolis, Christmas begins when the Hallé Orchestra and Choir come together to perform Handel’s Messiah, as they have done pretty much every Christmas since they first performed this stirring, sacred oratorio in 1859.
Wait, what’s that you say? What’s an oratorio? I’m glad you asked. An oratorio is a fancy Italian word for a great big musical performance for an orchestra, a choir, and some seriously talented individual singers (the soloists) where everything follows a particular story. It’s not an opera though, because in opera everyone dresses in costume and pretends they’re in Germany, Italy, or the unconscious mind.
Picture credit: David Hughes
Classical music needn’t be mysterious. Once you get past the in-house jargon, it’s just great music, great singing and great storytelling. In tonight’s case, to coin a phrase, it’s the greatest story ever told: the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Messiah is the work of the German-born English composer George Frideric Handel. The text used in the verses was assembled by Handel’s friend Charles Jennens and is drawn from three parts of the Bible: Old Testament prophesies of the Messiah’s birth; New Testament stories of his birth, death and resurrection; and verses relating to Judgment Day, with the final chorus text taken from the Book of Revelation.
Strictly speaking, you don’t need to know any of that to enjoy Messiah. At every level, the music is deeply engaging and a joy to experience. Novice and seasoned concertgoers alike were thrilled by the passion and power of the Hallé orchestra and its massed choir (combined, they numbered more than 200), as well as the exquisite performances of the four soloists, Jessica Niles (soprano), Alexander Chance (countertenor), Toby Spence (tenor), and Roderick Williams (baritone).
Special mention must be made of conductor John Butt, who not only conducted skilfully but often did so while playing the harpsicord, a renaissance man if ever there was one. And to Matthew Hamilton, choral director of the magnificent Hallé Choir. All fully deserved the thunderous applause and standing ovation from a packed house at The Bridgewater Hall.
But now, please allow me to make a personal plea.
Classical music, in all its forms, is something to be enjoyed by everyone. Although it can sometimes be portrayed as exclusive, snobbish or even pretentious, leading some to think they’ll be unwelcome or out of place at a classical event, nothing could be further from the truth.
What’s more, Manchester is home to a wealth of great classical music, with regular performances from the Hallé, the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Manchester Camerata, the Royal Northern College of Music, Chetham’s School of Music, the Manchester Chamber Concerts Society, and many more.
Picture credit: David Hughes
So, with 2025 waiting in the wings, if you’ve never been to a live classical performance before then why not make it a New Year’s resolution? It won’t break the bank but it will open the door to a new world of wonderful musical experiences.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Main photo by David Hughes
