Messiah brings people such joy and overwhelming pleasure, so it’s easy to understand its phenomenal popularity.

In 1742, Handel’s name drew such a crowd that audience  members were advised to leave their hooped skirts and swords at home for fear of overcrowding at the Dublin  premiere. 

The tradition of presenting the much-loved masterpiece  at Christmas rather than Easter grew out of fundraisers knowing that people’s spirit of giving to charities was far  greater at Christmas, and by the 1960s Messiah had been almost completely transformed to a Christmas event. 

Handel’s beautiful music transcends its biblical text, embracing the possibility of hope and rebirth after the darkest of times. Auckland Choral is thrilled to be able to  return to this celebration of hope and new beginnings… dazzling solos and instrumental fireworks… the most  glorious choral writing of all time, this masterwork never fails to thrill all ages.

Uwe Grodd  Conductor 
Isabella Moore  Soprano 
Kate Webber  Mezzo-soprano 
TBA  Tenor 
Benson Wilson  Bass 
Auckland Sinfonia