Candlemass Messiah

Brighten up the dark days of winter with this Candlemas charity concert on February 1st: Handel’s Messiah at Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral Brussels in the city centre. 

 

This yearly Candlemas charity concert was begun in 2008 by former ICB choir director and music teacher, Pam Clements MBE. Taking the helm from this year forward is David Mitchell, Director of Music at Holy Trinity. The singers are from Holy Trinity’s own choir, as well as other local choirs, such the International Chorale of BrusselsCandlemas is a Christian Holy Day commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the TempleOn Candlemas, many Christians also bring their candles to their local church, where they are blessed and then used for the rest of the year.

 

Following Handel’s own charitable practices, part of the proceeds from this February 1st performance will go to a local charity for sick children, Les Projets d’Eléonore, based at St Luc hospital, as well as to the Holy Trinity Organ Restoration fund. 

 

In addition to the choir and a fine, amateur orchestra, the soloists are: 

 

Soprano: Auriane Sacoman is a Masters graduate in singing from the Brussels Conservatoire. 

Alto: Celia Stoddart is a choral scholar formerly of Newcastle Cathedral, currently of Royal Holloway College, London, and a future chorister of Norwich Cathedral. 

Tenor: Jonathan Halliwell is a former choral scholar of Selwyn College, Cambridge and Songman of Lichfield Cathedral.

Bass: Ian White began his musical career as a chorister at Peterborough Cathedral under the legendary Dr Stanley Vann. He now divides his time between teaching music at BJAB and singing in Canterbury Cathedral.  

 

The Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. 

 

Candlemas Charity concert – Handel’s Messiah

Saturday, 1 February, 16:00

Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral Brussels

Rue Capitaine Crespel 29
Brussels B-1050 

Tickets at the door - 10/5 euros

Email: admin@holytrinity.be