Messiah: an Audio-visual Exploration of Handel’s Choral Masterpiece
Composed in 1741 but not first performed until the following year at Dublin’s Great Music Hall, ‘Messiah’ is one of the Western music ‘s greatest achievements, and a work that has captured the imagination of audiences around the globe. Although originally performed at Easter, the oratorio has now become a staple at Christmas and is regularly performed by the world’s greatest conductors, singers, choirs and orchestras during that part of the liturgical calendar. Using carefully selected audio-visual examples, this lecture will trace the fascinating story of Handel’s great masterwork.
Lecturer: Professor Raymond Holden AM
Born in Australia, Professor Raymond Holden AM studied in Sydney, Cologne and London and is critically acclaimed and a multi-award winning writer, conductor, broadcaster and lecturer. He has performed with the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Widely published, Professor Holden has also appeared on BBC Television and Radio and several European, Australian and Swiss Television and Radio stations . He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours list and is Emeritus Professor of Music at the Royal Academy of Music in London.