Handel's Messiah April 2014, 5th April

What can you say about Handel's Messiah ? Such a wonderful work, and popular with choirs and audiences around the world. This concert was real triumph for Chepstow Choral Society. The choir really rose to the occasion, and produced some truly magical moments. Along with a fantastic quartet of professional soloists, and with the hand picked CCS orchestra, some said it was our best perfomance ever ! And judging by a letter received from the Chairman of Monmouthshire County Council, David Dovey, & following press reports, I might agree !

Letter from David Dovey

Messiah Standing Ovation

Programme

Part I

1. Overture
2. Comfort ye My people Tenor (recit)
3. Ev’ry valley Tenor (air)
4. And the glory of the Lord Chorus
5. Thus saith the Lord Bass (recit)
6. But who may abide? Alto (air)
7. And He shall purify Chorus
8. Behold a virgin shall conceive Alto (recit)
9. O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Alto (air) and Chorus
10. For behold, darkness Bass (recit)
11. The people that walked in darkness Bass (air)
12. For unto us a Child is born Chorus
13. Pastoral Symphony
14. There were shepherds Soprano (recit) And lo! The angel of the Lord
15. And the angel said unto them Soprano (recit)
16. And suddenly Soprano (recit)
17. Glory to God Chorus
18. Rejoice greatly Soprano (air)
19. Then shall the eyes of the blind Alto (recit)
20. He shall feed His flock Alto (air)
21. His yoke is easy Chorus

Interval

Part II

22. Behold the Lamb of God Chorus
23. He was despised Alto (air)
24. Surely He hath borne our griefs Chorus
25. And with His stripes we are healed Chorus
26. All we like sheep have gone astray Chorus
27. All they that see Him Tenor (recit)
28. He trusted in God Chorus
29. Thy rebuke hath broken His heart Tenor (recit)
30. Behold and see Tenor (air)
31. He was cut off out of the land of the living Soprano (recit)
32. But Thou didst not leave His soul in hell Soprano (air)
33. Lift up your heads Chorus
34. Unto which of the angels Tenor (recit)
35. Let all the angels of God worship Him Chorus
36. Thou art gone up on high Bass (air)
37. The Lord gave the word Chorus
38. How beautiful are the feet Soprano (air)
39. Their sound is gone out Chorus
40. Why do the nations? Bass (air)
41. Let us break their bonds asunder Chorus
42. He that dwelleth in heaven Tenor (recit)
43. Thou shalt break them Tenor (air)
44. Hallelujah Chorus

Part III
45. I know that my Redeemer liveth Soprano (air)
46. Since by man came death Quartet and Chorus
47. Behold, I tell you a mystery Bass (recit)
48. The trumpet shall sound Bass (air)
49. Then shall be brought to pass Alto (recit)
50. O death, where is thy sting? Alto and Tenor
51. But thanks be to God Chorus
52. If God be for us Soprano (air)
53. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain Chorus Amen