ONE of Chester's top choirs is to play a major part in a performance of one the most popular and best-loved pieces of classical choral music.
Chester Bach Singers and conductor Martin Bussey will take part in a performance of Handel's Messiah at St Alkmund's Church in Whitchurch on Friday, December 13.
Staged by Whitchurch-based baritone Peter Edge, the Chester choir will be joined by soprano Holly Teague, mezzo soprano Helena Cooke and tenor William Smith; together with the 18th Century Concert Orchestra, all under the baton of Martin Bussey.
Peter Edge
Peter, 25, recently graduated as a Master of Music in Vocal Performance with Distinction, from the Royal College of Music, London, where he was tutored by Peter Savidge.
Competition successes include the International Medal at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, the Chris Treglown Memorial Award and RNCM Freckleton Prize.
Regarded as of the finest chamber choirs in North West England, the Chester Bach Singers are best known for critically acclaimed performances of baroque music, especially Bach and Handel.
With a growing reputation for championing the music of contemporary British composers, the choir performs a broad spectrum of choral music from the fifteenth to twenty-first centuries.
Much in demand with neighbouring orchestras, they have performed with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Chetham’s School of Music Symphony Orchestra and The Eighteenth Century Concert Orchestra as well as with the Chester Bach Orchestra. The choir have performed in venues such as Leeds Town Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Tewkesbury Abbey, Manchester Cathedral , Chester Cathedral and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.
St Alkmund's Church
Speaking about the event, Peter said: "Composed by Handel in 1741, the Messiah reflects on Christ's birth, the passion and Christ's life, death and resurrection.
"St Alkmund's Church is a beautiful setting for the concert, with fantastic professional and local soloists, the Chester Bach Singers and the 18th Century Sinfonia taking part.
"The concert will be played on period instruments and in period costume.
"Tickets are limited, so we are advising advanced booking to ensure that people don't miss out.
"It really will be the most fantastic way to start off festive celebrations."
Tickets for the event can be booked at peteredgebaritone.co.uk/messiah
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