Wild Arts Promises 'a Fresh and Innovative' Handel's Messiah

Orlando Jopling's ensemble to perform in Bedford Park

Orlando Jopling is the founder of Wild Arts

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November 21, 2023

As part of a tour of a number of venues across the south east of England, Wild Arts will be bringing their version of Handel’s Messiah to Bedford Park in the run up to Christmas.

It promises a ‘fresh and innovative’ retelling of the story of Christ at St. Michael’s and All Angels Church on Saturday 9 December at 7.30pm.

The piece, which was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and contains the much reprised ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, begins with the Annunciation and ends with the Last Judgement.

Wild Arts was founded in 2022 by Orlando Jopling with the aim of bringing together established and emerging musicians. He will also be paying a chamber organ along with the other musicians who will be performing on period instruments.

This staging will be in collaboration with director Tom Morris who worked on the National Theatre’s production of Warhorse.

Subsequent dates are scheduled at Chichester Cathedral in Sussex, The Art Workers’ Guild in London, in Cheltenham and at Layer Marney Tower in Essex, where the closing performance is fully booked.

Performers

Joanna Songi and Sofia Kirwan-Baez - soprano

Martha Jones and Cath Backhouse - mezzo-soprano

Richard Dowling and Harry Jacques - tenor

Tim Nelson and Ed Hawkins - bass

Sijie Chen and Will McGahon violins - Kay Stephen viola - Reinoud Ford cello - Carina Cosgrave double bass

Joel Raymond and Oonagh Lee oboes - Chris Rawley bassoon - Sam Lewis and Ruth Ross trumpets - Tom Lee timpani

Orlando Jopling - Musical Director, organ

Doors open at 6.30pm when there will be drinks available as well as during the interval. The performance last 2 hours and 30 minutes including the interval.

Tickets can be booked online and cost £45 for the first eight rows in the centre and £35 for seats at the back and side with under 25s being charged £15.

Donations will be invited for the three charities supported by St Michael and All Angels: The Upper Room, Swinfen Telemedicine and Crosslight Chiswick.

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