Christmas music treat in Sydney: Handel’s Messiah returns

This December, the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs are set to enchant audiences once again with their much-loved Messiah concerts, a cherished Sydney Christmas tradition that has spanned over a century.

This year promises to be a landmark event, as the internationally acclaimed Handel specialist, Graham Abbott, takes to the podium for his final series of performances, bringing his unique insights and passion for Handel’s dramatic works to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall.

Abbott, a familiar voice for many as the host of ABC Classics’ Keys to Music, has devoted much of his conducting career to the works of George Frideric Handel. His “near-lifelong obsession” with the Baroque composer began at the tender age of eight and has since led him to oversee the Australian premieres of several major Handel works. However, it is his masterful interpretations of Handel’s Messiah that have truly defined his illustrious career, with the upcoming performances marking his eighty-first Messiah across five decades.

Reflecting on his journey with Messiah, Abbott shares, “Messiah has been a constant thread running through my conducting career, from my earliest days in a high school hall in Emu Plains to my professional debut with orchestras across Australia and the UK. The drawcard for me is the effect the work has on the audience. Messiah is theatre music, not church music, and it packs a punch whether you’re hearing it for the first time or the hundredth.”

As Abbott prepares to hang up his baton after these performances to focus on his speaking and teaching endeavours, he promises a finale that honours the integrity of Handel’s original manuscript. “In the past, Messiah performances were often over-embellished. Now, I prefer to let Handel speak for himself, staying true to the original text and its dramatic ‘affect’,” he notes.

Joining Abbott is a stellar line-up of soloists, including Penelope Mills, Margaret Plummer, Louis Hurley, and Christopher Richardson, who will perform alongside a formidable 600-strong chorus made up of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ Symphony Chorus, Chamber Singers, VOX, and community Christmas Choir, accompanied by the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra.

Brett Weymark OAM, the Choirs’ Artistic and Music Director, expresses his admiration for Abbott’s influence, saying, “Working with Graham has always been inspiring. His passion and knowledge bring out the best in everyone. It’s an honour to have him with us for these final performances of Handel’s iconic masterpiece.”

Concertgoers can look forward to three breathtaking performances: 8pm on Friday, 13 December; and 1pm on Saturday, 14 December and Sunday, 15 December. Tickets start at £45, with concessions and Under 30s available at reduced prices. For more information and to secure your seat, visit sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/concerts/2024season/messiah/.

Enhance your experience with a complimentary pre-concert talk on the Concert Hall’s Northern Foyer stairs, hosted by 2MBS Fine Music presenter Simon Moore and the Choirs’ Executive Director, Matthew Beale. Join them at 7.15pm on Friday and 12.15pm on both Saturday and Sunday for an insightful 30-minute discussion before the music begins.

Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of one of the world’s most beloved Baroque classics, poised to captivate audiences and honour the legacy of a truly remarkable conductor. Book now for a season that is sure to be a sell-out!