HANDEL'S MESSIAH HERALDS TOWN HALL'S 175TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AND OPENS BIRMINGHAM INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SEASON
Issued: 9 September 2009
TOWN HALL 175TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT: HANDEL’S MESSIAH
SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER 2009, 7pm
TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM
Town Hall Birmingham celebrates its 175th birthday on 3 October when Harry Christophers conducts The Sixteen in what is sure to be a thrilling performance of Handel’s Messiah. Featuring soloists Gillian Keith, Catherine Wyn-Rogers, John Mark Ainsley and Christopher Purves this performance of the most popular oratorio ever written will open both Town Hall’s 175TH anniversary series and the 2009/10 Birmingham International Concert Season.
The Sixteen was founded in 1979 by conductor Harry Christophers who can’t wait to perform Messiah at Town Hall this October… “It is a wonderful honour for us, in this our thirtieth anniversary year, to be celebrating Town Hall’s 175th anniversary.“ Comprising both choir and period instrument orchestra, The Sixteen won the prestigious MIDEM Classical Award 2009 for their recent recording of Handel’s Messiah. With such experience behind them Christophers promises a night not to be missed – “Messiah is not simply a collection of exquisite arias and brilliantly vivid choruses; it is an entertainment which, in our performance, will test your emotions and will ultimately be an inspiration to everyone, both performer and listener alike.“
Successfully premièred in Dublin in 1741, Handel’s oratorio was initially rejected in England but by 1834, when Town Hall was built, it was a choral favourite and was performed at every Birmingham Triennial Music Festival (held until 1912). The choral festivals, which Town Hall was built to house, were internationally renowned, drawing thousands of people to Birmingham to hear the very best in classical music and establishing an international musical reputation for the city.
Originally opened in October 1834 and re-opened in October 2007, Town Hall now marks its 175TH anniversary with a series of events that celebrate aspects of its rich history with music, talks, dance, film and more. More information is available at www.thsh.co.uk/175th.
The Town Hall 175TH Birthday Concert: Handel’s Messiah featuring Harry Christophers and The Sixteen is at Town Hall Birmingham on Saturday 3 October at 7pm. Tickets available from the box office on 0121 780 3333 or online at www.thsh.co.uk
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Note to Editors
CONCERT LISTING
TOWN HALL 175TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT: HANDEL’S MESSIAH
The Sixteen Choir and Orchestra
Harry Christophers conductor
Gillian Keith soprano
Catherine Wyn-Rogers mezzo soprano
John Mark Ainsley tenor
Chris Purves baritone
Handel: The Messiah
Tickets £5-£40 (discounts available)
Link to concert page: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/town-hall-175th-birthday-concert—handels-messiah
Town Hall 175th anniversary: www.thsh.co.uk/175th
SERIES EVENT LISTINGS (classical events highlighted)
Thu 1 Oct, 11.30am & 3pm
TOWN HALL DANCES with the Garry Allcock All-Stars Band
Sat 3 Oct, 7pm
TOWN HALL 175TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT: HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Harry Christophers conducts The Sixteen
Sun 4 Oct, 11am-4pm
175 TODAY! BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL OPEN DAY
Mon 5 Oct, 7.30pm
175TH BIRTHDAY ORGAN CONCERT: THOMAS TROTTER
Fri 9 Oct, 8pm (learn the steps from 7.30pm)
Sat 10 Oct, 3pm (learn the steps from 2.30pm), Sat 10 Oct, 8pm (learn the steps from 7.30pm)
Victoria Square, Birmingham
nutkhut’s BOLLYWOOD STEPS created by Simmy Gupta
Introduced by Bobby Friction
Sun 11 Oct, 7pm
THE OLD DANCE SCHOOL, THE TOY HEARTS & THE DESTROYERS
Mon 12 Oct, 3.30pm
A HALL FOR ALL SEASONS: 175 YEARS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Illustrated talk by Lyndon Jenkins and Beresford King-Smith
Wed 21 Oct, 7.30pm
A HANSOM BUILDING: TOWN HALL, ANCIENT AND MODERN
Talk by Barry Adams and Anthony Peers
Sat 24 Oct, 7pm-2am
175TH BIRTHDAY SALSA BALL: GRUPO X ALL-STARS IN A TRIBUTE TO TITO PUENTE
Compere Rohan Brown
Sat 31 Oct, 7.30pm
HALLOWEEN SILENT MOVIE SPECIAL: PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925)
Improvised organ accompaniment by Nigel Ogden
Mon 2 Nov, 2.30pm & 6.30pm
TOWN HALL, BIRMINGHAM AND WORLD WAR II
Talk by Professor Carl Chinn with live music from Garry Allcock and his All-Stars Band
Sun 15 Nov, 3pm
CELEBRATING DARWIN: IS HUMAN EVOLUTION OVER?
Talk by Professor Steve Jones
Sat 21 Nov, 7.30pm (doors open 7pm)
ALAAP, HEERA AND MONA: 175TH BIRTHDAY BHANGRA BASH
Fri 27 Nov, 8pm
STEELEYE SPAN – 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
Sat 28 Nov, 7.30pm
Sun 29 Nov, 4pm
ELGAR’S THE DREAM OF GERONTIUS
With Ex Cathedra and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Wed 2 Dec, 7.30pm
CAPSULE 10TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT
Mon 7 Dec, 7.30pm
A CHRISTMAS CAROL BY CHARLES DICKENS, PERFORMED BY CLIVE FRANCIS
Wed 9 Dec, 7.30-m
SIR WILLARD WHITE: ROBESON RE-EXPLORED
Sponsored by Jamaica National Building Society
Town Hall and Symphony Hall are managed together by Performances Birmingham Limited, a registered charity. Between them, the two halls present an exciting and varied programme of over 600 concerts and events a year, designed to appeal to people of all ages and backgrounds. Over 500,000 people visit Town Hall and Symphony Hall annually, and a thriving education/community department reaches a further 20,000 people of all ages.
Town Hall Birmingham re-opened in October 2007 following a £35m renovation funded by Birmingham City Council (£18.3m), Heritage Lottery Fund (£13.7m), European Regional Development Fund (£3m).
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TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL BOX OFFICE 0121 780 3333
ONLINE BOOKING www.thsh.co.uk
(£2 fee per transaction is charged on all bookings except
purchases made in person at THSH Box Office)
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Fiona Fraser
Press & PR Manager
E Fiona.fraser@thsh.co.uk
T 0121 644 5008 (Direct)