Show: Glyndebourne Handel’s Messiah
Location: Empire Theatre, Liverpool
Date: Thursday December 2 2021
Time: 19.15
Running Time: 135 minutues incl. Interval
Age Rating: 8+
Company: Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne’s performance of Handel’s Messiah raised the roof and lifted spirits at the Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre. Theatre-goers experienced a beautifully simplistic production of a classic, intricate Opera.
Glyndebourne Handel’s Messiah
Description Of Glyndebourne Handel’s Messiah
The show opened with the dimming of the house lights, focussing your attention to the coloured backdrop screen lit up in a purple hue. The singers were welcomed warmly, then the audience waited in anticipation for what was to come as the orchestra began to play softly. It was sharp but so elegant and peaceful that the auditorium fell to complete silence. This opening, Sinfony: Grave, introduces the prophesies fortold by Isaiah and other prophets before Jesus’ existence. The Glyndebourne chorus was centre stage, with two soloists either side, stepping forwards individually to take the lead throughout the concert.
Handel’s Messiah tells of the life of Jesus from his prophesy, birth to death and resurrection to the second coming. It is an amalgamation of storytelling and worship wrapped into one, following a journey of emotions from desperation through to triumph. The light screen behind the choir evolved in colour throughout the performance, matching the tone of the piece being performed. It is a show almost solely for the ears.
Analysis Of Glyndebourne Handel’s Messiah
The sheer volume of the performance surprised me. The voices were much quieter than my expectation of booming, blow-your-hair-back vocals; instead, you had to be silent to catch each word. The choir, of course, brought volume, but generally, I was expecting a much louder presence. However, an attentive, calm atmosphere was necessary from the audience.
The first male soloist stood and with subtle bodily expression sang Comfort Ye My People with a strong but gentle demeanour. The three other soloists followed similarly, producing refined and passionate vocals of the highest quality. Their vocal control and timing- such an intricate skill- was exquisite and surely appreciated by all, whether or not Opera is to their music taste. Another surprise I had was the realisation that Opera is less of an acquired taste than I had heard it made out to be, probably depending on the particular Opera you choose to see.
Other Notes
I personally found Glyndebourne’s Handel’s Messiah to be all-around enjoyable, and as much as Opera is known for not being everybody’s cup of tea, I struggle to imagine any despise towards this classic and sacred oratorio. It is pleasant! It cannot be compared to a popular music concert or a musical theatre show in terms of audience interaction and hype level, but for a wintery night out marking the run up to Christmas, it is quite special.
The production was low-key. Though its simplicity only highlighted the beauty of the vocal skills; in essence, it did not need decorating. However, without much of a visual to keep your eyes chasing, it left the audience free to zone out. On the other handel (sorry, I couldn’t resist)… it was possible that the idea was to just be in the presence of the stunning orchestral atmosphere without the need for a focused vision. It’s a shame that I couldn’t see the orchestra from the stalls in their sunken section. Mind you, it’s inevitable in such a venue where a hidden band section is necessary for most performances. A seat in the circle, in this instance, might be beneficial if you would prefer a whole picture view. The orchestra was exceptional and the conductor is surely second to none.
Applause
There was one particular moment that I found amusing but simultaneously significant. Immediately as the orchestra sounded for the Hallelujah chorus, the audience rose to their feet out on impulse! I assume this is a known phenomenon to habitants of the Opera world. It was a surprising and dramatic moment. But it created a sense of unity and respect that is always welcome. The language of Handel’s Messiah was based on the King James version of the Bible. The outdated language doesn’t reflect how we speak English today. However, the sentiment and meaning are still very much pertinent today.
Summary Of Glyndebourne Handel’s Messiah
This is a beautiful operatic performance with a quiet but moving conviction. This production is a stunning celebration of classical music and vocal skill. If this show sounds like an experience you would enjoy, take a look at Glyndebourne’s website linked below to read about their planned future performances
Notes
Content: Nothing likely to offend
Recommendation?: Yes
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 – Excellent
Glyndebourne Handel’s Messiah – Further Links
Glyndebourne’s Christmas Concert is being performed on 8th, 9th, 11th and 12th December and tickets are still available!
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