REVIEW: Prom 65: Choral Day – Handel’s Messiah

The Messiah has been described as one of the world’s favourite oratorios, and it was clear from the atmosphere created at BBC Prom 65 in the Royal Albert Hall why this is the case. Having never been to the Proms, I partially expected an ostentatious event, but the thing that really struck me was the work that has been put in to make the music and the event accessible to all. 

Using the Mozart arrangement of Handel’s work brought additional interest and modernisation to the original baroque oratorio, again, carefully chosen to welcome those who may not have heard the piece before, as well as bringing something new to those who have seen The Messiah one hundred times. 

The chorus was made up of a number of choirs to give a diverse range of voices which added to the joy of the performance. The cohesion and blend of so many different choirs from all over the UK was a true testament to the skill of conductor John Butt. In The Messiah in particular, there are so many difficult runs in the music so it is easy for choirs to sound disjointed, but it was clear the work that had been put in to ensure that each voice part was totally in sync. 

The orchestra sounded truly beautiful, and the passion of the musicians really showed throughout each movement, whether a large scale chorus movement or a peaceful recitative. The soloists again brought accessibility to the piece through their storytelling of each movement. All four soloists were exceptionally expressive when performing both airs and recitatives, which brought the music to life and incorporated the audience in each movement. The skill at which John Butt brought all of the different pieces together to create such a flawless, welcoming and enjoyable performance was incredibly impressive. 

The true highlight of the performance, as is often the case for The Messiah, was the hallelujah chorus. I felt truly lucky to hear the most magnificent organ in the Royal Albert Hall, the second largest in the UK, accompany this grand, joyful movement. It was also brilliant that the audience had been invited to a ‘come and sing’ session prior to the performance, and at this point in the performance all were invited to stand up and sing this magnificent movement. It was a truly special moment to enjoy the combination of so many voices and the stunning organ in the beauty of the Royal Albert Hall and was a testament again to the welcoming and inclusive nature of the Proms.