Elisabeth Hedges and St. Matthew’s Choir Invite you to Come and Sing
Handel’s Messiah The work: G.F. Handel’s Messiah needs little to no introduction. The oratorio, first performed in Dublin in 1742, has been sung by choirs and choral societies, big and small, continuously since 1745. Although the work is now associated with the Christmas period, its first performance date (13th April), and textual focus confirm it was initially conceived as an Easter oratorio. The sheer scope of The Messiah, a full performance lasting over two and a half hours, makes it close to un-performable in full. As the workshop is taking place shortly after Easter, the organisers have decided to focus on the Second and Third parts of the oratorio. The cause: Macmillan Cancer Support is one of the UK’s largest charities, providing specialist healthcare, information, and support to people affected by cancer. The charity was founded in 1911 by Douglas Macmillan, following the death of his father from the disease. This fundraising come and sing is co-organised by St. Matthew’s Choir and Elisabeth Hedges, herself a cancer survivor, as a way of saying thank you to Macmillan for the support and encouragement they offer. We also hope to raise funds for the charity and, most importantly, to raise awareness of the work Macmillan do. The Hosts: St. Matthew’s is a thriving suburban parish in Chapel Allerton, boasting one of the finest acoustics in North Leeds. St Matthew’s Choir are no strangers to organising come and sing events, both large and small, offering enthusiastic amateurs the opportunity to sing under the inspirational leadership of their Director of Music, Aljoša Škorja. On this occasion they will be joined by St. Matthew’s Orchestra and soloists. Conductor: Aljoša Škorja is a Slovene musicologist and conductor. After graduating in musicology in Ljubljana he continued his studies in conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. He has conducted orchestras in the UK and Slovenia, working with Manchester Camerata, London Classical Soloists, the RTV Slovenia Orchestra and the Slovene Philharmonic. Hopefully, the fact-sheet below should provide further information on the event however, if you have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to be in touch. Venue: St. Matthew’s Parish Church, Chapel Allerton, Leeds. Just off Wood Lane, LS7 3QF. Plenty of on- and off-street parking. Easily reachable by public transport (2, 3, 3A, 48; 7A, 7S). Cost: £15, £10 (students only), to be paid on the day by cash. The suggested audience donation for the concert on Sunday is £10, £8 (con.).
#1
Schedule:
Saturday, 16th April
10am 10.30am-1pm 1pm-2pm 2pm-5.30pm
Registration Choir & Orchestra Bring & Share Lunch Choir & Orchestra
Sunday, 17th April
2pm-3.30pm 4pm-5.30pm 6.30pm-9pm
Soli & Orchestra Tutti Performance
Refreshments: Tea and coffee will be available throughout the event. We suggest you bring a bring and share lunch on Saturday and a light refreshment on Sunday. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants within a 10mins walk in the centre of Chapel Allerton. Music: Vocal scores will be available to borrow against a £5 deposit. If you would prefer to bring your own score, we will be using the Novello edition (ed. Watkins Shaw). Cuts and further instruction follow below - please make sure you copy them in your score. Concert dress: Appropriate attire in black or black and white, with optional details in red, orange or purple. Men may choose to wear jackets but no ties. No folders required. Application: To apply, please fill out the below application form and return it to saint.matts.choir@gmail.com (you are welcome to send the required information in the body of the email) or, Aljosa Skorja, Director of Music, Parish Church of St. Matthew, Wood Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, no later than 18th March 2016. Receipt of application will be acknowledged by email. We will do our best to accommodate all applications. Late applications will be considered on a first come, first serve basis. ——————————————————————————————————————————— Application Form: Come and sing Handel’s Messiah Name and Surname Address Postcode
Town/City
Email address Contact number: I wish to sing (please circle)
S1
Have you sung the work before?
Yes
S2
A1
A2
T
B
No
Do you have any special requirements? Date:
Signed:
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Cuts, versions and further instruction: No.
Title
Version / Cuts Choir Stand/Sit PART ONE
1 Sinfony
Stand with orchestra. Then sit.
2 Rec: Comfort Ye 3 Air: Ev’ry Valley
Stand: reh. mark E, beat 3
4 Chorus: And the Glory 5 Rec: Thus saith the Lord
Sit: beat 1
6 Air: But who may Abide
Alto Cut: 13—95
Stand: final bar, beat 3
8 Rec: Behold, a Virgin shall Conceive
CUT
Remain standing
9 Air & Chorus: O Thou that Tellest
Cut: air (b.13-106)
Sit after last bar
7 Chorus: And he shall Purify
10 Rec: For Behold 11 Air: The People that Walked
Stand: final bar, beat 4
12 Chorus: For unto Us
Sit: after beat 4 of final bar
13 Pifa
Version I
14a Rec: There were Shepherds
CUT
14b Rec: And, Lo
CUT
15 Rec: And the Angel
CUT
16 Rec: And suddenly
CUT
17 Chorus: Glory to God
CUT
18 Air: Rejoice greatly
CUT
19 Rec: Then shall the Eyes
CUT
20 Air: He shall Feed
Version II Alto & Soprano
#3
Stand: bar 53, beat 1 (bar after final “souls”)
No.
Title
Version / Cuts Choir Stand/Sit
21 Chorus: His Yoke is Easy PART TWO 22 Chorus: Behold the Lamb of God 23 Air: He was Despised
Cut: reh. mark E-end
24 Chorus: Surely he hath Borne
Stand: bar 1, beat 1
25 Chorus: And with his Stripes 26 Chorus: All We like Sheep 27 Rec: All they that See Him
Stand throughout
28 Chorus: He Trusted in God 29 Rec: Thy Rebuke
Sit: bar 2, beat 4
30 Air: Behold, and See
Tenor INTERMISSION
31 Rec: He was Cut off 32 Air: But thou didst not
Tenor
Stand: 3rd of D, beat 2
33 Chorus: Lift up your Heads 34 Rec: Unto which
Remain standing
35 Chorus: Let all the Angels 36 Air: Thou art Gone up
Version I Alto
37 Chorus: The Lord Gave the Word
Remain standing
Sit: final bar, beat 3
38 Air: How beautiful Are the Feet
Version I Soprano
39 Chorus: Their Sound is Gone Out
Version I
Stand with entrance
40 Air: Why do the Nations Rage
Version I
Remain standing
41 Chorus: Let Us Break 42 Rec: He that Dwelleth
Sit: final bar, beat 4
#4
No.
Title
Version / Cuts Choir Stand/Sit
43 Air: Thou shalt Break Them 44 Chorus: Hallelujah
Stand with entrance. Sit on Cue PART THREE
45 Air: I Know that My 46 Chorus: Since by man
CUT
47 Rec: Behold, I Tell You 48 Air: the Trumpet shall Sound
Cut: B and dc
49 Rec: Then shall Be
Stand: final bar, beat 4
50+51 Duo: O Death, Chorus: But Thanks Be 52 Air: If God Be for Us
CUT
53 Chorus: Worthy Is the Lamb
#5
Remain standing