Oxford's 1749 Messiah - Handel's masterpiece as Oxford first heard it
Messiah George Frideric Handel
Rowan Pierce soprano
Hugh Cutting alto
Thomas Herford tenor
Daniel Tate bass
Instruments of Time & Truth
Oxford Consort of Voices
Conducted by Edward Higginbottom
Sohmen Concert Hall, Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford OX2 6GG
About this programme
In 1749, the opening of the Radcliffe Camera was celebrated with the newest music from London: Handel's Messiah. The performance was directed by William Hayes, Heather Professor of Music and organist of Magdalen College, who did much to carry Messiah beyond London and to secure its lasting place in the repertoire.
Drawing on archival research, Instruments of Time & Truth and Edward Higginbottom recreate the version Hayes premiered in Oxford, performed complete on period instruments. Expect a performance in the true 18th-century spirit: ambitious, celebratory and full of invention.
Running time approximately 3 hours 10 minutes, including two intervals.
Tickets
Tickets for this concert are sold by the Schwarzman Centre.
