Handel festival brings Messiah back to its roots

Handel’s Messiah will come to life in Dublin’s historic cultural quarter where it was first performed more than 260 years ago, it was revealed today.

The week-long Handel Festival takes place later this month, boasting a world class programme of free concerts, workshops, talks and tours celebrating George Frederic Handel’s colourful past.

Marking the composer’s visit to Dublin in 1742, and the first performance of the Messiah on April 13, Temple Bar Cultural Trust is expecting to attract thousands of classical fans from all over the world to the capital.

Organisers are also celebrating the announcement of a €35,000 grant towards its Cultural Night, to be held on September 14, which features an array of key artistic and cultural venues across the city opening late to members of the public.

The Handel festival will officially open on Friday, April 13 at 1pm, with a free open air concert given by Our Lady’s Choral Society singing well known excerpts from the Messiah in Temple Bar’s Fishamble Street.

Music historian, Dr Barra Boydell, will then share his wealth of Handel knowledge in a free talk and walk on the composer and his Dublin connections (tickets essential).

Composer Benjamin Dwyer has been awarded the 2007 Handel Festival music commission, which will be premiered by Trio Quattroat on Sunday April 15, at St Audoen’s Church, while a lunchtime recital will be held in St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Christ Church Cathedral Choir and the orchestra of St Cecilia will bring the Handel Festival to a fitting close with a full performance of the much loved Messiah in the magnificent and atmospheric setting of Christ Church Cathedral on Friday, April 20 at 7.30pm. Limited tickets available.

For ticket details visit www.templebar.ie